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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

October IT, 1905. 



My dear Beyer: 

Replying further to your letter of Ootober 5th, I am 
authorized "by the Secretary of the Navy to inform you that 
the Department authorizes you to publish your book entitled, 
The American Battleship in Commission* 

I am sorry to hear of your being in the hospital and 
hope that you are getting on well. I wish you all success 
with the publication of your book. 

Your manuscript is returned by registered mail* 

Very truly yours, 

Captain, U. S» K* 



Ihomas Beyer 



s .Beyer, 

Shipfitter 1st Class, U.S.tfavy, 
U. S. A. General Hospital, 
Port Bayard, 

New-Mexico. 



OFFICE Of 

THE COMMANDER-IN-C.HIEF. 

UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET. 



U. S. FLAGSHIP MAINE. 

tfavy Yard, Hew fork. 
June 10, 
(2) 
4. It is with pleasure that I note that a book which 
Appears to -have merit is about to be published above the 
eignature of one of our enlisted men. 
Respectfully, 



Rear Admiral, tJ. S. Hary, 
Commander in Chief, 
United States Atlantic Fleet, 



Hr# Thomas Beyer, 

Shipfitter, 1st class, TJ.S.H. 
Naval Y.M.C.a; 
Brooklyn, H.Y. 



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Trinidad— Rio do Janeiro 2,900 

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THE 



Ameriean Dattleship 

AND 

Life in the Navy 

ALSO 
HUMOROUS YARNS AS TOLD BY A BLUEJACKET 

(The American Battleship in Commission) 

BY THOMAS BEYER 



Published by Special Authority of U. S. Navy Department. 
Endorsed by Admiral Dewey and Rear-Admiral Evans 

CONTAINING 

Latest tables of Battleships, Armored and Protected Cruisers, 
Monitors, Vessels Built and Building, showing Size, Dis- 
placement, Tonnage, Caliber and Number of Guns, 
Gun Power, Armor and Number of Officers and Men 

ILLUSTRATED WITH 

Forty full-page copper-plate half-tones and special double-page map, 

lithographed in four colors, showing route of the fleet to the 

Pacific and the probable return trip via Suez Canal, 

with distances between stopping-points 




CHICAGO 

LAIRD & LEE, Publishers 



Two Copies Keo 

MAR 25 1308 

ooMfftiCrtt aw j. 



; " 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1908, 

By William H. Lee, 

in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at 
. Washington, D. C. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



The Nation 



"TN time of peace, prepare for war" So runs the old 
-* adage. It follows, therefore, that Congress should 
appropriate sufficient money to build and properly 
maintain a powerful navy, as well as to strengthen our 
coast defenses wherever needed. If, as it is often as- 
serted, the United States has assumed the position of 
leader among the Powers, then it is all-important that 
we demonstrate our ability to carry out the obliga- 
tions imposed by the new world policy. To be fully 
prepared for any emergency, is in itself a guarantee that 
peace will not be disturbed. A (t shore diplomat" uses 
his pen and diplomacy to avert war ; the "sea-going 
diplomats " (battleships) use their twelve and thirteen- 
inch guns to make peace. Historians write history, but 
Navies and Armies ( or the men-behind-the-guns ), make 
it. Under present conditions, in the event of interna- 
tional complications, the navies are destined to play a 
most important part. How essential, then, that the 
American fleet should be second to none. 

The recent action of the Administration, in despatch- 
ing the fleet to the Pacific, the greatest battleship cruise 
of modern times, must be regarded as a masterstroke 
of policy, because it establishes the significant fact that 
the United States can and will maintain its flag and 
national supremacy on every sea. 

—THE PUBLISHERS, 



*" i o the relatives and friends 

of the American Bluejackets 

and all who are interested in the 

Great United States Navy, 

this book is respectfully dedicated. 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS 



Chapter I. — 






PAGE 


The Navy, . 1 


Building and Commissioning, . . 8 


Officers of the Ship, . . . . .16 


How Officers are Made, . ... 25 


Chapter II. — 


Preparing for a Voyage, . . . .27 


At Sea, .... 






. 29 


In Port, 






, 31 








. 34 


Drills of the Week, 






. 37 


Description of Drills, 






39 


Chapter III. — 


The Crew and their Duties, . . . .51 


Engineer's Department, . 






. 52 


Carpenter's Gang, . 






54 


Deck Force 






. 55 


Ordnance Department, . 






. 57 


Pay Department, . 






. 58 


Medical Department, 






. 59 


Clerical Force and other Rates, 






. 60 


Extra Rates 






. 62 


Rating and Pay of Enlisted Men, 






. 64 


Enlistment, 






70 


Opportunities, 






. 72 


Sailor's Duds, 






. 75 


Amusements and Pastimes, 






, 76 


Man-'o-War Lingo, 






. 79 



CONTENTS — Continued 



Chapter IV.— page 

Official Description of a Battleship, . . 84 

Ordnance, 99 

Main Guns, 101 

Crew of a Large Gun, 104 

Intermediate and Secondary Battery Guns, . 107 

How a Large Gun is Made 109 

Ammunition 112 

Weight of Projectiles, 115 

Torpedoes 116 

Chapter V. — 

Nomenclature of the Ship, . . . .121 

Drainage System, ,133 

Ventilation System, 134 

Fresh and Salt Water Systems, . . ,136 

Description of United States Vessels, . .137 

How the Navy has Grown in Fourteen Years, . 147 

Chapter VI. — 

Different Types of Warships, . . . .153 
Two Years on the Oregon, . . . . 1 60 

How a Battleship is Docked 162 

Admiral Dewey's Fleet at Manila Bay compared 

with a 20,000-ton Battleship, . . .167 
How the Crew is Divided, . . . .169 

Naval Notes, . . . . . .174 

Man-'o-War Yarns, , . . . .195 



List of Illustrations 



Lithographed Map — Cruise of the American 

Battleship Fleet Around the World, and 
Rear-Admiral Evan's Flagship Connecticut, . 

Portrait of the Author, . 

Launching of the U. S S. Connecticut, 

A Battleship Under Construction, . 

A Monitor at Sea, . . . 

A Navy-yard Scene, . . 

U. S. S. Oregon, Outward Bound, 

U. S. S. Virginia on her Trial Trip, 

How a Battleship is Docked, 

Taking Life Easy, 

Taking Stores Aboard, 

Boxing Aboard the West Virginia, . 

A Homeward-bound Pennant, 

U. S. S. Iowa, .... 

A Submarine Boat, 

Ship's Company, U. S. S. Charleston, 

Getting the Liberty Boats Ready, . 

Enlistment Record, 

Honorable Discharge, . 

The Pennsylvania's Broadside, 



• Frontispiece 



opp. page 



1 

8 
16 
17 

24' 
25 
32 
33 
40 
41 
48 
49 
56' 
57 
64 
65 
70 
71 
78 



/ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS — Continued 



The New Bliss- Leavitt Turbine Torpedo, opp. page 

A Six-inch Gun, .... 

A Group of Young Naval Officers, . 

U. S. S. Alabama at Sea, 

U, S. S. Rhode Island, . 

Signal from the Bridge, 

On the Quarterdeck, 

Outward Bound, .... 

A Galley Scene, . . . 

A Few Mascots, .... 

The Wooden Navy, 

U. S. S. West Virginia at Anchor, 

U. S. S. Charleston at Sea, 

Ship's Company, U. S. S. Chattanooga, 

A Diver at Work, 

Nobody Works but Uncle, 

A Wrestling-match, 

A New Race-horse, 

Race-boat and Crew, U. S. S. Illinois, 

U. S. S. Ohio, .... 

Waiting for the Admiral, 

Naval Y. M. C. A. Building, Brooklyn, N 




THOMAS BEYER. 
Shipfitter 1st Class, U. S. N. 



CHAPTER I 

THE NAVY — BUILDING AND COMMISSIONING — 

OFFICERS OF THE SHIP — HOW 

OFFICERS ARE MADE 

THE NAVY 

QREAT pride and interest are taken in our 
navy. The results of the Russian- Jap- 
anese war have plainly demonstrated that 
a strong and efficient navy is the most important 
factor in time of war. Folks at home read about the 
achievements of a certain ship while at the same time 
many do not realize what a grand array of war- 
ships are owned by Uncle Sam. 

A person may gaze at the photograph of a battle- 
ship or cruiser or he may see one lying at anchor, 
but in explaining the difference between their fight- 
ing qualities, the average landsman would be "at 
sea." It requires personal experience and study 
to enable one to comment intelligently upon the 
service. 

A warship is a floating diplomat. In moving 



2 The American Battleship in Commission 

about singly or in fleets they command in many 
ways, respect for the country which they represent. 
Our interests in foreign ports are constantly on the 
increase as the Export Statistics will show ; and now 
that Uncle Sam is the legal guardian of the Philip- 
pines, Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Panama 
Canal, a large and efficient navy is needed to pro- 
tect American interests. 

A large navy does not signify a strong one ; 
should the personnel be lacking in training, skill 
and discipline, the ships would be of little value. 
In time of action it would prove an easy prey to the 
enemy whose ships and men had a superior training. 
Millions of dollars are spent annually to keep the 
fighting qualities of both ships and men up to the 
highest standard, and every dollar of this money is 
well invested. A powerful navy is one of the most 
valuable assets a nation can possess. When the 
war clouds are gathering the strength of the navy 
regulates the ultimatum. 

Washington, D. C, is the official headquarters 
of the United States Navy. From there all orders, 
movements of ships, officers, enlisted men and 
stores, are directed, and with the assistance of the 
many admirals and captains who are in command of 
the various fleets, squadrons, divisions and single 
ships, these orders are carried out to the letter. 

The Navy Department is divided into different 



* 



The Navy 3 

bureaus; such as the Bureau of Navigation, Con- 
struction and Repair, Equipment, and Steam Engi- 
neering. The duties aboard ship and of the different 
bureaus are thus divided in order to simplify mat- 
ters. 

Ships of the navy are placed out of commission 
regularly, at the different navy-yards maintained 
by the navy. When a ship is placed out of com- 
mission she is thoroughly overhauled and equipped 
with the latest appliances. Warships are also built 
at the navy yards by the Government; the Con- 
necticut, a sixteen-thousand-ton battleship, being 
one of them * This ship was built at the Brooklyn 
Navy Yard. 

Several of our warships have been in commission 
ten years before being placed out of commission. 
When a ship is recommissioned she is better equipped 
than when new, for the reason that she is more 
modern, as improvements which have come into use 
recently are installed. 

The entire navy is conducted on the same prin- 
ciple. The Navy Department prints a book which 
contains the rules and regulations governing the 
United States Navy. From the color of its binding 
this book is known as the "Blue Book." Every 
detail of the service is contained within its pages. 
From time to time, as the service may require, 
changes are made in the rules and regulations. 



4 The American Battleship in Commission 

Some people may be inclined to think that naval 
officers have one continuous round of pleasure with 
nothing to do but travel around the world at the 
expense of the Government. Such an erroneous 
impression could be entertained only by one unac- 
quainted with the service. All naval officers have 
arduous tasks to perform before ships are entrusted 
to their command. After six years of continuous 
study, midshipmen are commissioned ensigns ; this 
being the lowest rank of commissioned officer. 
Line officers are the regular commissioned officers 
of the navy who have gone through the prescribed 
course at the Naval Academy. This also includes 
the warrant officers who have successfully passed 
the examination for ensign. Officers are gradually 
promoted in turn ; a special examination being 
taken for each graduation. A Line officer must 
have been in charge of every department of a war- 
ship, such as the Signal, Navigation, Ordnance, and 
Executive Officer, before given command of a large 
ship. Many admirals in foreign navies have seen 
far less service than our commanders. 

Regarding the benefits that an enlisted man de- 
rives from the service, they are many. A blue- 
jacket is well taken care of, and best of all, he is 
well paid. The opportunities for advancement in 
the navy are greater to-day than at any previous 
time. Many new rates of petty officers have been 



The Navy 5 

recently created and more are being added from time 
to time as required. These new rates, with the old 
ones, have advanced many of the crew to the rank 
of petty officer. The initial pay of a petty officer 
varies from thirty to seventy dollars per month, this, 
however, does not include his ration and extra pay, 
as gunpointer, lamplighter, messman, or continuous 
service benefits. 

A large number of new battleships and cruisers 
have been recently completed and commissioned. 
The majority of these ships carry a complement of 
over eight hundred men, thus causing many open- 
ings for advancement. When a member of the crew 
is rated a petty officer more work is not expected 
of him because his pay has been increased ; he is 
rated a petty officer for the reason that he has 
acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to com- 
mand a more responsible position. As a general 
rule the higher an enlisted man advances the less 
manual labor he is required to perform. A petty 
officer is clothed with considerable authority, and 
many responsible duties are assigned him. Naval 
life is very congenial to the enlisted man and he 
gains a vast amount of knowledge and experience 
in his travels. Most important of all, he is well 
disciplined. 

Occasionally a young man may enlist who turns 
out to be an undesirable recruit ; he may often cause 



6 The American Battleship in Commission 

discontent among other members of the crew. Some 
write home to their parents condemning the service, 
and in some instances their home papers publish the 
contents of their letters and cause a false impression 
to be formed regarding the life of the enlisted men. 
Were it taken into consideration that the authors of 
these letters as a rule are recruits who have just 
joined the service and know but little of it owing to 
inexperience, little faith would be placed in the 
articles published. When a young man writes home 
informing his relatives or friends that he has been 
an ordinary seaman two years, and that others who 
have less service to their credit are being promoted 
to petty officers, it is quite logical that there is 
something wrong. The "growler" (better known 
as a sea-lawyer) never explains the cause. Those 
who are tardy in being promoted are sleeping while 
their more industrious and studious shipmates are 
advancing over them. The old saying that " Every 
man makes his own career, " is quite true of the 
men in the navy. 

One may join the navy with false ideas of life 
aboard ship. Some expect to be given a private 
room and even a servant to wait upon them. Cases 
of this kind are rare, however, as most of the re- 
cruits soon adapt themselves to the routine of the 
service. When a recruit persists in being obstinate 
he will either desert or be dishonorably discharged, 



The Navy 7 

for under no circumstances does Uncle Sam wish to 
retain men of this character. 

Some young men enlist without the consent of 
their parents. This is usually due to the objections 
of the parents. It seems that the names of warships 
and talk of big guns give many people peculiar no- 
tions about the service ; this is particularly true of 
women. 

When an accident occurs in the navy it is looked 
upon as something awful by the shore folks. Were 
it taken into consideration that there are over three 
hundred ships on the Naval Register the majority 
of which are in commission, it would be plainly seen 
that naval life is no more dangerous than other vo- 
cations ashore. The majority of accidents in the 
navy occur under unavoidable circumstances, and 
at the same time a great lesson is learned from each. 
The experience thus gained is utilized to prevent a 
repetition of similar occurrences. The warships in 
commission hold regular target practice and have 
speed trials each year, all of which involves a cer- 
tain amount of risk. 

There are over one hundred different rates aboard 
a battleship. Members of the crew are constantly 
being transferred, discharged or retired, causing 
rapid promotion among the crew. During first en- 
listment a majority of the enlisted men are rated 
petty officers. Many of the author's shipmates 



8 The American Battleship in Commission 

aboard the Oregon can verify this statement, for many 
of them were made petty officers during first enlist- 
ment. When the Oregon won the Gunnery Trophy, 
several of the gunpointers were on their first enlist- 
ment ; a large number of them having never seen 
salt water until enlisting. Many naval officers can 
look back to the day they entered the service with 
the lowest rating on the muster-roll. The naval 
regulations allow a warrant officer to become a reg- 
ular commissioned officer of the Line, that is, pro- 
vided he passes the examination successfully. This 
examination is quite severe and requires a large 
amount of practical and theoretical knowledge to 
enable one to pass it ; several warrant officers have 
already passed this examination and are now com- 
missioned officers. Upon passing successfully they 
are given the rank and pay of an ensign. 

The present law allows twelve warrant officers 
to become commissioned officers each year. Over 
ninety per cent of the warrant officers are promoted 
from the ranks, and the day is not far distant when we 
will have captains and admirals in the navy who were 
once enlisted men. 

BUILDING AND COMMISSIONING 

Drawing up the plans of a battleship is an excep- 
tionally arduous task, there being many difficulties 
to overcome. The first thing to be considered is 




Q 

o 
u 

DC 

CD 



Building and Commissioning 9 

the displacement, which is equal, of course, to the 
weight of the vessel. Displacement signifies power, 
which is equalized ; speed, steaming radius, armor 
and armament are provided for according to the 
type of ship desired. Should a warship of high 
speed be designed, the armor, armament, etc., 
would be lessened accordingly. When the dis- 
placement has been determined, all plans and speci- 
fications are made out accordingly, for the armor, 
armament, speed, steaming radius, fuel and water 
supply, living quarters, and in fact every detail of 
the ship is considered and provided for. The 
weights and spaces of all parts of the ship are 
equalized, so that when the ship is completed she 
will not exceed the displacement she was designed 
after. 

From year to year battleships are constantly 
being increased in size, speed, armor and arma- 
ment. Much experience, skill and money are needed 
to acquire these valuable points of advantage. 
Speed alone is an important factor in time of battle. 
Take for instance, two opposing fleets, one having 
an average displacement of fourteen thousand tons 
and a speed of sixteen knots, the other having the 
same displacement but a speed of eighteen knots, 
the fleet having the higher rate of speed has a de- 
cided advantage over the other. To increase the 
speed of a battleship an extra knot, additional 



io The American Battleship in Commission 

horse-power is required ; this necessitates an in- 
crease in the power of the boilers and engines, also 
of the fuel and water supply. 

When Congress has appropriated the money to 
build a warship, the final plans are drawn up and 
the building of the ship is let out by contract to 
the lowest bidder. All materials used in the con- 
struction of the ship must be of home manufacture, 
and the successful bidder agrees to build the vessel 
strictly according to contract ; the specifications, of 
course, contain all details pertaining to the con- 
struction of the ship. 

Formerly the Government paid a bonus for each 
knot or part thereof in excess of the speed specified 
in the contract, but this system has been discon- 
tinued. When it is taken into consideration that 
the contract price of a battleship varies from three 
to eight million dollars, which is, of course, regulated 
by the displacement and type of the ship, great 
caution must be exercised on the part of both the 
builders and the Government. The penalty imposed 
for failure to develop the required speed during the 
official trial trip of our late type of battleship, is at 
the rate of $50,000 for the first quarter knot under 
the contract speed, $100,000 for the second quarter 
knot ; should the speed be more than half a knot 
under that specified in the contract, the ship would 



Building and Commissioning n 

be rejected, or accepted at a greatly reduced price, 
at the option of the Navy Department. 

Piece by piece the huge fighting machine is as- 
sembled ; several thousand workmen are at work on 
the ship itself or in the workshops nearby. Every 
labor-saving device that can be utilized is taken 
advantage of by the builders. Only a short while 
ago all riveting, drilling, etc., on the ship was per- 
formed by hand ; now most of it is done by auto- 
matic tools of different kinds ; riveters, chippers 
and drillers do most of their work with tools which 
are operated by compressed air. Most of these 
tools are of light construction, so that they can be 
transported to any part of the ship ; an air hose 
connects them with the compressed air system 
which is set up temporarily in and about the ship. 

There is but little opportunity for palming off 
on the Government poor work or materials, because 
the plans and specifications state precisely the 
quantity and quality of all materials used. In ad- 
dition to this, naval officers are detailed as inspect- 
ors at the different shipbuilding plants where 
warships are under construction. Should the ship 
be faulty in construction, defects would appear 
when the ship is put through the various tests at 
the trial trip. 

When the ship is ready for launching, many 



1 2 The American Battleship in Commission 

preparations are necessary. The launching of a 
battleship is quite an event, and thousands of spec- 
tators assemble to witness it. All of our battle- 
ships are named in honor of States, with the excep- 
tion of the Kearsarge. When the day for launching 
arrives, a delegation is on hand to represent the 
State after which the vessel is named, and some 
fair daughter of the State (usually the Governor's 
daughter) has the honor of christening the vessel. 
As the ship starts to move, the sponsor dashes a 
bottle of wine against the ship's bow and exclaims : 
11 I christen thee ," at the same time pro- 
nouncing the ship's name. The ship is launched at high 
tide. When everything is in readiness, all blocking 
is released and suddenly she starts to move. It is 
indeed a grand sight to witness that huge hulk of 
steel rushing onward to the water which is to be 
her home. She strikes the water with a splash 
amid a din of cheers and whistles. 

When the armored cruiser Washington was 
launched a new device was introduced. This ship 
was built in a building with a glass roof, which 
enabled the builders to work during inclement 
weather. This ship was launched automatically, 
all blocking was released simultaneously, and the 
ship was given a start with hydraulic rams which 
were located at the head of the launching-ways. 

When a warship is launched she generally repre- 



Building and Commissioning 13 

sents a mere shell, though in some cases the build- 
ers may partly equip her before launching. After 
she is launched tugs stand by to tow her to the 
berth where she is finished and made ready for the 
trial trip. The builders have everything in readi- 
ness ; selected men are at the engines and in the 
fire rooms, and in fact everything is done to increase 
the power and speed of the ship. A certain course 
is laid out and marked at intervals by the Govern- 
ment stake-boats. Several naval officers are detailed 
on the trial board to look after Uncle Sam's in- 
terests. 

During the trial trip every one aboard is held in 
great suspense as the ship is throbbing and trem- 
bling from stem to stern while she speeds through 
the water. The stake-boats being anchored at cer- 
tain intervals, enable the trial board to accurately 
ascertain the ship's speed. 

Recently a new method of holding trial trips has 
been introduced, known as the Standardized Screw 
method. In the vicinity of the throttle of each 
main engine is a counter connected with the main 
engine. This counter registers accurately each 
revolution made. The ship is then run many times 
over a carefully measured mile course which enables 
the trial board to ascertain the exact number of 
revolutions both engines must make in order to 
give the speed specified in the contract. When 



14 The American Battleship in Commission 

the exact number of revolutions the engines must 
average to give the ship the required speed is de- 
termined, the ship is then run for four consecutive 
hours in the open sea under full power. After the 
full-speed trial comes the endurance trial, when the 
ship is run full speed for twenty four consecutive 
hours. In most every instance the ship exceeds 
the speed specified. After the trial trip she returns 
to the harbor with brooms flying from the masts ; 
sometimes the ship's speed is painted on the smoke- 
stacks. 

After the speed trials are held another series of 
tests follow. The ship steams ahead at different 
speeds and the engines are suddenly reversed to 
ascertain in what space and time the ship can be 
stopped. The steering gear, water tight doors, 
and all parts of the ship are also carefully tested 
under different conditions. The results of these 
various tests are of great value for future reference, 
for during the ship's career emergencies may arise 
when the information gained can be put to practi- 
cal use. 

When the ship has successfully passed the trial 
trips she returns to the shipyard, where all defects 
are remedied and the furnishings and all. necessary 
equipments are installed* When completed the 
ship is ready to be commissioned. The ship's 
builders render a monthly report to the Navy De- 



Building and Commissioning 15 

partment of the percentage of progress made while 
the ship is under construction. 

Placing a battleship in commission is a very quiet 
and simple affair. Shortly before the ship is com- 
missioned a small portion of the crew is sent to the 
ship ; these are chiefly from the engineers depart- 
ment, which enables them to become familiar with 
the machinery. The balance of the ship's comple- 
ment has been previously selected and held in 
readiness for the day when they will be ordered 
aboard. 

The captain musters all hands aft on the quarter- 
deck and reads to them his orders, which state that 
the Navy Department has ordered him to assume 
command of the ship. The orders on the commis- 
sioning having been read and Old Glory and the 
commission pennant hoisted, the ship is then en- 
tered upon the "Active List" of naval vessels. 

When a ship is commissioned she is taken in 
hand by the officers and crew and " broken in." 
Fire, collision and other drills are frequently held, 
and the ship is taken out for short cruises to famil- 
iarize the crew with their new home and duties. 

The ship is again put through a series of severe 
tests, the most important being the firing of the 
ships battery simultaneously to ascertain the con- 
cussion. The builders are held responsible for any 
defects which may arise during a specified period, 



1 6 The American Battleship in Commission 

as a final payment is withheld until the ship is 
accepted by the Government. After a short period 
of patience and toil the ship is finally " broken in M 
and ready for assignment to duty. 

OFFICERS OF THE SHIP 

Admiral. The warships in commission are divi- 
ded into fleets. When a fleet consists of a large 
number of ships it is divided into squadrons and 
divisions. Each squadron or division is under the 
command of an admiral, while the entire fleet is 
under the command of the senior admiral, who is 
known as the Commander-in-Chief. 

When at sea the admiral often puts the entire 
fleet through a series of maneuvers, all of which 
require great tact and skill. It is an imposing sight 
to witness a fleet of large warships maneuvering 
about with clockwork-like precision. In time of 
action prompt maneuvering is one of the most im- 
portant factors. The orders are signaled from the 
flagship, each ship of the fleet keeping a keen look- 
out and obeying all signals promptly. The admiral 
has a staff of officers who assist him in many ways, 
for the duties of an admiral are of a varied nature. 

The ships of the fleet are inspected regularly by 
the admiral and his staff ; every nook and corner, 
and the ship's personnel is thoroughly inspected. 
In time of war the greatest responsibility rests upon 




u 

5 



Officers of the Ship 17 

the admiral. Should communication with Wash- 
ington be impossible the admiral has to use his own 
discretion according to the circumstances of the 
case. 

When two admirals are together in a fleet the 
senior admiral would display from his ship a blue 
flag, and the other would use a red flag; should 
there be three admirals together, the junior admiral 
would display a white flag. Upon being separated 
from the fleet the admiral in command of any 
squadron or division would then hoist his senior flag. 

Captain. The captain is in command of the ship 
to which he is assigned and is held responsible for 
the ship ia general. The captain and admiral both 
have their own private quarters, each having his 
own cook, steward and mess attendants ; they mess 
in their respective cabins. The captain is known 
as the Commanding Officer and is clothed with 
great authority. Should two or more ships be to- 
gether with no admiral among them, the senior cap- 
tain present would then be acting admiral. Both 
the captain and admiral have their own boats for 
their personal use. At the bow of the admiral's 
launch, or oared boat, are two gilt stars which sig- 
nify admiral's barge. At the bow of the captain's 
gig is a long gilt arrow which signifies command- 
ing officer's gig. 



1 8 The American Battleship in Commission 

All promotions of the enlisted men are made 
upon the captain's indorsement ; the other officers 
in charge of the different departments and divisions 
do the recommending. During battle, important 
maneuvers, entering or leavmg port, the captain 
remains on the bridge. The only real difference 
between a captain and a commander is that the 
former is of a higher rank and has command of a 
larger ship. Battleships and armored cruisers rate 
a captain. 

. 

Executive Officer. This officer is the right-hand 
man of the captain and has complete charge of the 
discipline and routine of the ship. He is also 
equipment, and construction officer. All stores 
issued out and repairs made on the ship, except 
those of the engineer's, navigator's, and ordnance de- 
partments, are under his supervision. The execu- 
tive officer attends to an extensive correspondence 
which includes quarterly reports, recommendations 
promoting the crew, and the many other details of 
the daily routine of the ship. 

Three yeomen assist the executive ; two for his 
office work, the other being assigned charge of the 
equipment, and construction accounts. Stores, 
tools and materials of every description are con- 
stantly needed for the ship. Each quarter, the 
ship is allowed a certain amount of stores which 



Officers of the Ship 19 

are served out when needed for use. In this way 
the executive exercises great care that no stores 
are wasted. The executive has the ship made 
ready for inspection and kept in good condition at 
all times. 

On Sunday morning the captain inspects the en- 
tire ship and crew. The executive officer generally 
ranks next after the captain. When dining in the 
wardroom this officer sits at the head of the table, 
as he is the ranking officer. 

Engineer Officer. The senior engineer officer is 
in charge of the engineer's department and is re- 
sponsible for all the machinery operated by steam 
power, also all compartments, double bottoms, 
piping and valves within the boundaries of the en- 
gineer's department. The machinery of a battle- 
ship is no small item. The labor, patience and 
time occupied in keeping it in order is enormous. 
A large force of mechanics, firemen and coalpass- 
ers are attached to this department. An accurate 
log is kept wherein an account of all coal and water 
used, also every minor detail of the department is 
recorded. The senior engineer is assisted in his 
duties by one or more junior engineer officers and 
the regular warrant machinists. These junior offi- 
cers, with the warrant machinists, stand regular 



20 The American Battleship in Commission 

steaming watches at sea and perform the regular 
day's duty when in port. 

Great care must be exercised with the machinery 
at all times. When the ship has completed a voy- 
age many repairs are sometimes necessary. All our 
large ships are equipped with powerful machinery, 
and should any work be done carelessly or incom- 
petently a serious accident might be the result. 

Navigating Officer. This officer has charge of 
the navigation of the ship and is responsible for all 
compasses, steering-gear and signaling apparatus. 
The navigator has an office of his own, also a yeo- 
man to perform the clerical work. The navigator 
has charge of the ship's log; everything pertaining 
to the ship, such as amount of coal and water on 
hand, ship's draught, speed made, and position, 
are entered in the log book. 

The smooth log is made up regularly and signed 
by the watch officers, navigator and captain, and 
forwarded to the Navy Department at intervals. 
Should a ship be lost the quarterly reports and 
smooth copies of the various logs would enable the 
Department to know all about the ship up to the 
end of the quarter prior to her loss. 

When the sailing orders are received the navi- 
gator takes his charts and lays out the course of 



Officers of the Ship 21 

the ship. All the electrical apparatus of the ship, 
such as search lights and electrical machinery are in 
charge of the navigator. On the smaller type of 
ships the navigator is also the ordnance officer. 

Ordnance Officer. This officer has charge of all 
guns, magazines, torpedoes, ammunition, ammuni- 
tion hoists and their many appurtenances. The 
greatest care is exercised with the ordnance of the 
ship. The guns are kept in the best of condition, 
powder tested regularly and in fact every detail at- 
tended to. This is extremely necessary, for should 
an emergency arise, the guns of the ship must be 
ready for instant use. 

Target practice is held regularly with the ship's 
battery and a good score at target practice is quite 
a feather in the ordnance officer's cap. An enor- 
mous amount of ordnance paraphernalia is required 
aboard ship. Several of our battleships are 
equipped with a battery consisting of seventy-four 
guns of varied calibers. If all the guns were 
fired simultaneously, nearly four tons of projectiles 
would be hurled through the air. The total weight 
of projectiles fired from a battleship in battle would 
equal the tonnage of an average gunboat. 

Medical Officer. A complete medical staff con- 
sisting of one senior surgeon, one junior surgeon, 



22 The American Battleship in Commission 

one hospital steward and the hospital apprentices is 
carried. Special quarters are provided for the sick- 
bay or ship's hospital. The sick-bay adjoins the 
dispensary and contains a number of berths and the 
operating table. 

Every morning the bugler sounds sick call and 
those wishing to interview the doctor report at the 
sick-bay. Should the complaint be of a serious 
nature the patient is put on the sick-list and excused 
from all duty. Often during an emergency, opera- 
tions are performed aboard ship. . When convenient 
a serious case is transferred ashore to some naval 
hospital for further treatment. When on a foreign 
station the doctor may recommend that patients be 
sent home for further treatment should circumstan- 
ces warrant it. 

Pay Officer. The pay department issues money, 
clothing and rations. The crew is paid monthly, 
each member having a pay number. On pay day 
the crew lines up at the pay office and as each per- 
son is paid he signs for the money received. At 
the end of each quarter the crew signs the quarterly 
accounts, a duplicate of which is forwarded to the 
Navy Department. It is quite a task to keep the 
accounts owing to the fact that constant changes are 
taking place, resulting from transfers and promo- 
tions. . 



Officers of the Ship 23 

The crew is subsisted by the pay department, a 
commissary steward being in charge. A large 
amount of money is handled aboard a battleship. 
The crew is paid regularly and an enormous quantity 
of stores and provisions is purchased from private 
firms ashore. Much of the funds handled by the 
paymaster consists of navy pay checks. The com- 
missary store is also managed by the pay depart- 
ment, where articles such as tooth powder, soap, etc. 
are sold to the crew at a small advance over the cost 
price. 

The paymaster, who is placed under heavy bonds, 
is responsible for everything pertaining to his de- 
partment. Should a member of the crew wish to 
make an allotment to his folks he can do so. The 
amount allotted each month is then deducted from 
his accounts and forwarded regularly to the person in 
whose name the allotment is made. A pay clerk 
and three yeomen assist the paymaster with his 
duties. 

Other Officers. There are many other officers 
who stand regular watches besides being in com- 
mand of their respective divisions and batteries. At 
all times, whether the ship is at sea or in port, there 
is one or more officers on watch. The senior officer 
on watch is known as the officer-of-the-deck and his 
orders are law ; for he represents the captain. This, 



24 The American Battleship in Commission 

however, does not include the engineer's department 
which has a system of its own. 

The crew is divided into divisions, such as pow- 
der, engineer's, and pay divisions ; an officer being 
in charge of each division. The deck force (seaman 
branch) is also divided into divisions, such as first, 
second and third divisions. Each division is in 
charge of a Line officer who is assisted by other 
officers of lower rank. A marine captain and lieu- 
tenant have charge of the marines aboard ship. 

On the larger type of ships an officer known as 
the signal officer is in charge of the signal branch. 
The wireless telegraph and telephone are now installed 
aboard most of our ships and are of great value 
in receiving and transmitting messages. Many secret 
codes are used when signaling. The captain has a se- 
cret code signal-book, which is bound in sheet lead ; this 
book is bound in metal so that in time of war it can be 
thrown overboard to prevent any possibility of its 
falling into the hands of an enemy. 

Warrant Officers. Several warrant officers act as 
assistants to the officer in charge of their respective 
departments. The majority of the warrant officers 
are promoted from the ranks. Boatswain, Gunner, 
Carpenter, Warrant Machinist, Sailmaker and Phar- 
macist represent the warrant officers of the ship. 
Some ships, however, do not carry a sailmaker or a 




A Navy-yard Scene. A typical scene at the Brooklyn navy-yard, where warships 

are overhauled. 



Copyright, 1901, by Enrique Muiler. 



How Officers are Made 25 

pharmacist. Pay Clerks and Mates have about the 
same status as the warrant officers ; instead of being 
warranted they are appointed. Mates are appoint- 
ed from the enlisted men who have faithful service 
to their credit. Those who are too old, or are un- 
able to pass the examination for warrant officer, find 
it quite easy to qualify for mate. 

A warrant officer, after serving as such for a pe- 
riod of six years is examined for promotion. Should 
the examination be passed successfully he is com- 
missioned in his respective corps, such as Chief 
Boatswain, Chief Gunner, or Chief Carpenter; these 
rank with, but after, an ensign. 

HOW OFFICERS ARE MADE 

Senators, Representatives, and Delegates in Con- 
gress appoint the midshipmen from their respective 
districts. The President also makes a number of 
appointments which are known as " Appointments 
at Large. " Upon being appointed the applicant 
undergoes a careful examination. After the ex- 
amination has been successfully passed, the appli- 
cant is then admitted to the Naval Academy. 

Midshipmen go through a six-year course ; four 
years are spent at the Naval Academy and two 
years on a sea-going ship. Upon completing the 
course a final examination takes place ; those who 
pass successfully are commissioned ensign. Each 



26 The American Battleship in Commission 

class is appointed in order of merit, for instance, 
the Class of '08 consists of two hundred midship- 
men ; the one receiving the lowest percentage is 
placed at the bottom of the list. Each officer has 
a certain number; when an officer is promoted or 
retired, all those below him are advanced one 
number. 



CHAPTER II 

PREPARING FOR A VOYAGE — AT SEA — IN PORT — 

DAILY ROUTINE — DRILLS OF THE WEEK — 

DESCRIPTION OF DRILLS 

PREPARING FOR A VOYAGE 

THE flagship gives the order to get underway, 
allowance being made for the ship to get 
steam in the boilers and have everything in 
readiness for the voyage. Ships of the navy 
in commission are ready for duty at all times. 
Immediately after arriving in port from a long 
voyage the coaling gear is " broken out " and the 
ship is coaled. m 

The paymaster has always on hand a certain 
amount of provisions; shortly before sailing time 
a large supply is taken aboard. The fresh meats are 
stowed in the refrigerating rooms and the vegeta- 
bles in the vegetable lockers. Engines, boilers, 
and in fact all parts of the ship are kept in perfect 
condition, so when the order is received to get un- 
der way at a specified time there will be no delay. 
When the anchor gear is " broken out," it is a 



28 The American Battleship in Commission 

good sign that the ship is about to start on her 
journey. Everything in the engine room is ready, 
a full head of steam is up, the engines have been 
warmed and tested, the steaming watch is on and 
everything is in readiness for the speed annunciators 
to give the signal to start the engines. 

On the bridge, the steering gear, speed annun- 
ciators and other appliances used for the navigation 
of the ship have been tested, and the anchor gear 
is in readiness. Shortly before sailing time the 
captain and executive officer make their appearance 
on the bridge. The boats and gangways are hoisted 
in, and every one awaits the command " Up An- 
chor." All eyes are fixed on the flagship; sud- 
denly as the signal il Up Anchor" flutters to the 
breeze, the executive officer then gives the order 
"Up Anchor." The anchor engine tugs at the 
mighty chains as they come quivering through the 
hawse pipes. Slowly, but surely, the huge anchor 
is hoisted. When it appears in view the cat-falls 
are hooked into the balancing-link of the anchor 
which is then hoisted aboard and placed on the 
bill-board, which is a slanting receptacle to which 
the anchor is secured by means of large clamps. 

Many ships are equipped with a stockless anchor. 
The shank of this type is drawn into the hawse 
pipe. The instant the anchor is sighted and found 
to be clear, the flagship is signaled " All Ready." 



At Sea 29 

Each ship strives to report first. It frequently 
occurs that the anchor is badly fouled by having 
the chain entangled around the anchor stock or 
flukes. When all the ships of the fleet report " All 
Ready," the flagship gives the signal to get under 
way, and the ships steam in column or in line ac- 
cording to the order, the flagship leading. 

AT SEA 

When the anchor is hoisted and secured, all gear 
about the decks is stowed, the boat covers are put 
on, and should the sea be rough, all necessary 
hatches, air and gun-ports are well secured. The 
ship is now ready to combat any storm that may 
arise. After a passenger steamer encounters a 
storm at sea the captain usually informs the passen- 
gers that it was the worst storm he ever encountered 
during his experience at sea. In the navy it is 
different, for all storms look alike to the man-o'- 
war's man. A warship is always ready for any 
emergency whether it be to battle with the elements 
or an enemy. 

When at sea each division is divided into two 
watches, port and starboard. When the port watch 
is on duty it does all the work in its own part of 
the ship. Upon being relieved by the starboard 
watch the duties are performed by those assigned 
to this watch. 



30 The American Battleship in Commission 

The general routine at sea is somewhat different 
from that in port. On the bridge are the regular 
watch officers, quartermasters, signalmen and helms- 
men, standing their watches. A seaman is sta- 
tioned at the steering wheel, assisted if necessary 
by the quartermaster. On the lower decks is a 
member of the carpenter's gang on watch who 
sounds all bilges regularly and keeps a sharp look- 
out for leaky ports, etc. 

At all times the life-boats are suspended from 
the davits ready for instant use. These boats are 
kept well provisioned and watered. At night a 
lighted lantern is kept in each boat and the life- 
boat crews are constantly on watch. Should the 
cry "Man Overboard " be heard, the boats are 
lowered instantly. Two patent life-buoys are sus- 
pended clear of the ship's sides, which are held in 
position by a trigger-like arrangement. When the 
trigger is pulled the buoy drops into the sea. Upon 
contact with the sea two jets of flame spurt up, 
as there are two automatic torches attached to the 
sides of the life-buoy. The person in the water 
swims for this buoy ; the life-boats also make for 
the buoy upon getting clear of the ship. It rarely 
occurs that the cry " Man Overboard" is heard 
and in almost every instance the person is promptly 
rescued. 

The entire crew excepting those on watch turn 



In Port 31 

in (retire) by eight o'clock in the evening. Through- 
out the day a lookout is stationed in the forward 
fighting top in order to keep a sharp lookout for 
passing vessels or land. Should a sailing vessel, 
steamer or land be sighted, the lookout would cry 
" Sail Ho," " Smoke Ho," or " Land Ho," as the 
case may be. The officer-of-the-deck would in turn 
inquire " Where Away?" In answer, the lookout 
reports the direction in which the object is sighted. 

At noon when the weather is fair, the navigator 
observes the altitude of the sun with the sextant ; 
for in this manner the exact position of the ship is 
determined. Should the weather be inclement for 
several days, the ship's position would then be 
judged by "dead reckoning." This is done by 
calculations from speed, courses steamed, and plot- 
tings on the chart. The patent log which is towed 
astern while the ship is under way registers the 
speed of the ship. 

When the ship nears port both anchors are pre- 
pared for letting go, and the boats made ready for 
lowering, and many other preparations are made 
for bringing the ship to anchor. 

IN PORT 
After being at sea for an extended period land 
is a very welcome sight. Upon entering a foreign 
port the ship steams in slowly to allow the quaran- 



32 The American Battleship in Commission 

tine authorities and other officials to board her and 
examine the ship's papers. An American warship 
can in almost every instance show a clean bill of 
health, because the crew is a healthy body of men. 
Jack's health is well cared for. All enlisted men 
carry a complete outfit of clothes which are adapted 
for both hot and cold climates. 

When the papers have been examined and found 
to be satisfactory, the ship proceeds into the harbor. 
On the port and starboard sides of the ship are two 
small extension platforms called chains. Seamen 
are detailed in the chains to heave the lead ; at each 
heave of the lead the leadsmen drawl out the depth 
in a sea-going voice. When the ship has reached 
the anchorage spot the engines are reversed. As 
the ship begins to move astern the anchor which is 
released by a trigger arrangement, is ordered 
dropped. Upon its release a great splash is made, 
and the anchor chain creates c£ loud noise as it rat- 
tles through the hawse pipe. The chain is marked 
at intervals and the amount slacked out is regulated 
by the depth of the water, tides and position. As 
the anchor is released the lower booms are rigged 
out, the National Ensign hoisted at the stern, the 
Union Jack run up at the bow, all necessary boats 
lowered, and once more the port routine is re- 
sumed. 

Upon the completion of a long voyage the ship 



In Port 33 

is more or less disordered and her coal bunkers are 
quite depleted. The ship is soon coaled and all 
other stores laid in. After coaling, she is given a 
thorough cleaning. Side-cleaners go over the side 
and clean the sides of the ship. All boat gear and 
movable articles about the decks are " broken out M 
and thoroughly cleaned, and when all of these op- 
erations are completed the ship is once more neat 
and clean to the satisfaction of all hands. 

Bright work (metal parts of the ship which are 
kept brightened, such as brass railings) is polished. 
Clean bags and hammocks are issued to the crew 
and the soiled ones are cleaned and turned in to the 
sailmaker's mate. The ship is touched up with 
paint where needed, and when the ship is " policed 
up " (an expression meaning absolute cleanliness 
and perfect order) the crew is given liberty. 

The liberty party go ashore in watches or sections. 
Each member of the crew is assigned to a certain 
watch or liberty section which equalizes the work 
among the men left aboard. A party of bluejackets 
leaving the ship presents a picture of happiness ; 
each is dressed in his " Sunday-go-to-meetings." 

After taps, 9.00 P.M., the ship appears to be 
deserted, as the crew retires at this hour. There 
is no one about the ship except the quartermaster, 
sentries, anchor watch, and a few men on watch in 
the engineer's department. 



34 The American Battleship in Commission 

DAILY ROUTINE 

The routine is systematically regulated as there 
is a time and place for everything. At 5.00 A.M,, 
Reveille is sounded by the bugler. All hands, ex- 
cepting a few who have stood a night watch, turn 
out, dress, lash and stow away their hammocks 
which must be accomplished within ten minutes, 
those who have stood a night watch sleep in until 
7.00 a.m. From 5. 10 a.m. to 5.30 a.m., hot coffee 
or cocoa is served to the crew from their respective 
messes. At 5.30 A.m., the boatswain's mates pipe 
Turn To and all hands go about their regular du- 
ties; decks, paint work, boat gear, etc., are thor- 
oughly cleaned, this work is regulated by the 
morning order-book. At 6.45 A.M., the decks are 
washed and dried and all gear about the decks is 
stowed in its proper place. At 7.00 A.M., the 
morning work is about completed and the crew 
prepare for breakfast. At 7.20 A.M., Mess Gear 
is "piped," (signals given by the boatswain's 
mates with whistles called pipes. All calls not 
"piped " are sounded by the bugler) the messmen 
lower the mess tables, set up the benches and serve 
the breakfast. At 7.30 A.M., each member of the 
crew goes to his respective mess for breakfast ; no 
one ever forgets the number of his mess — it is too 
important. 



Daily Routine 35 

At 7.50 a. m., first call to "Colors," also Band 
Call is sounded, and the band assembles aft on the 
quarter-deck. At 8.00 A.M., the band plays 
"Colors" (the National Anthem), Old Glory is 
hoisted and all hands on the upper decks stand at 
attention facing the flag. When the band finishes 
playing the National Anthem all hands salute. 

At 8.30 A.M., Sick Call is sounded and those 
wishing to visit the doctor go to the sick-bay and 
tell their troubles. 

At 9.00 A.M., the crew finish their work and 
clear the decks for quarters. All gear about the 
decks is carefully stowed or made up and the decks 
given a thorough sweeping. 

At 9.25 A.M., the Officers' Call to quarters is 
sounded and the crew go to their respective divi- 
sions neatly and cleanly dressed. 

At 9.30 A.M., Quarters sound, the division officer 
inspects his division and reports to the executive 
officer. Shortly after quarters, retreat and drill 
calls are sounded. The drills vary according to the 
order of the day. 

At 10.30 A.M., Retreat from drill. The crew is 
now generally at leisure until 1.30 P.M. 

At 11.00 A.M., Band Call sounds and the Band 
assembles for practice. 

At 11.50 a.m., Mess Gear is " piped " and at 
12.00 M., dinner is served. 



36 The American Battleship in Commission 

At i.oo P.M., Turn To is " piped" and the decks 
are again swept. At 1.30 P.M., Drill Call is sounded, 
and at 2.30 P.M., Retreat from drill. Little work 
is performed during the remainder of the day. 

At 5.00 P.M., Evening Quarters; at 5.20 P.M., 
Mess Gear is " piped " and at 5.30 P.M., the sup- 
per is served. 

Ten minutes before sundown, first call to " Col- 
ors " and band call sound. At sundown the band 
again plays the National Anthem and Old Glory 
is lowered. 

At 7.30 P.M., the call Hammocks is sounded and 
the crew line up alongside the hammock nettings 
where the hammocks are stowed. When the boat- 
swain's mates "pipe down" the hammocks are 
taken out of the nettings and the owners take them 
below and swing them on the hammock hooks, the 
number of the hook and that of the hammock cor- 
responding. 

At 8.00 P.M., the carpenter, gunner, sailmaker, 
master-at-arms and captain-of-the-hold report to 
the executive officer that everything in their respec- 
tive departments is secure. 

At 9.00 P.M., Taps is sounded and all unneces- 
sary lights about the ship are extinguished. When 
with a fleet the senior ship fires a 9 o'clock gun. 



Drills of the Week 37 

DRILLS OF THE WEEK 

The drills aboard ship vary considerably accord- 
ing to the weather and other circumstances. As a 
general rule the most important drills occur on cer- 
tain days of the week and when these drills are 
taking place most all other work is temporarily 
suspended. 

Monday morning, small-arm drill takes place. 
The crew is instructed in the manual of arms on 
the upper decks. During the afternoon boat drill 
is held and the ship's boats are lowered and the 
crew go out for drill. 

Tuesday morning is devoted to battalion drill. 
In the afternoon signal drill is held, the members 
of the crew practising among themselves. All 
members of the seamen branch must be proficient 
in signaling. 

Wednesday morning, fire drill is held. No one 
is permitted to be absent from this drill although 
from the minor drills several are excused ; these 
are artificers and members of the engineer's depart- 
ment. Wednesday afternoon is mending and sew- 
ing time ; should the day be fair Jack lt breaks out " 
his bag of clothing and gives it an airing and over- 
hauling. 



38 The American Battleship in Commission 

Thursday morning, general quarters is held. 
Every person has a station at this drill. In the 
afternoon sword exercise is held and the members 
of the crew are given single sticks or wooden 
swords with which to drill. 

Friday morning, collision drill is held. Great 
promptness is displayed in this drill, all compart- 
ments, etc., are closed and the collision mat is 
thrown overboard and drawn over the hole sup- 
posed to have resulted from the collision. In the 
afternoon, arm and away drill is held, and the 
ship's boats leave the ship with an armed party for 
landing or boarding purposes. 

Saturday is a general field day and no drills or 
routine of any kind excepting evening quarters are 
held. The ship is given a thorough cleaning to 
have her ready for the regular Sunday morning 
inspection. In the afternoon there is little work 
going on. The ship is touched up with paint 
where needed and the enclosed decks freshly shel- 
laced. 

Sunday morning the ship is given an extra touch- 
ing up, all bright work is highly polished and at 
quarters the crew muster in their respective divi- 
sions in their best clothes. The captain and the 



Description of Drills 39 

executive officer inspect the crew, all storerooms 
and compartments. After inspection the crew is 
at leisure until Monday morning. There is always 
a certain number of men on watch at all times; 
electricians, quartermasters, marines and members 
of the engineer's force. These watches are so reg- 
ulated that each has certain days off duty. 

DESCRIPTION OF DRILLS 

Fire Drill. Located throughout the ship are 
many fire plugs, reels of hose, nozzles and fire axes. 
The instant the fire alarm is sounded and the loca- 
tion of the fire known, all hands hurry to their 
allotted stations, each being detailed to perform 
certain duties. The smotherers go to the hammock 
nettings, each taking a hammock with which to 
smother the fire. Extra pressure is put on the fire 
mains, the fire hose is coupled and in a short time 
there are several streams of water available. In 
the engine room are huge fire pumps which supply 
all the necessary water. Salt water is used for fire 
extinguishing purposes. After Secure has sounded 
everything is restored and secured. Our large 
ships are built of metal throughout and what little 
woodwork there is in the interior, is made fireproof 
by treating it with certain chemicals. In case of 
fire all unused compartments are promptly closed, 
thus diminishing the danger. 



40 The American Battleship in Commission 

Abandoning Ship. Every person aboard ship is 
detailed to the ship's boats. There is a sufficient 
number of these boats carried to accommodate the 
ship's complement should it be necessary to aban- 
don the ship. No one is excused from this drill 
excepting the few men on watch. Each one is 
detailed to assist and provide for his respective boat. 
Some get water, others provisions, cook-stoves, 
arms, ammunition, or mess gear. Casks of water 
are kept carefully stowed in the main hold where 
they are in readiness for an emergency. The pay- 
master throws open his storerooms where all neces- 
sary provisions can be procured. 

Each boat contains a boat-box in which are 
tools, fishing tackle, nails, strips of lead, etc. Often 
when the boats are lowered the crew get into them 
and row away from the ship leaving only a few per- 
sons aboard. Each boat has an officer in charge 
and when the boats return to the ship they are 
inspected to ascertain if they have been properly 
provided. 

General Quarters. This drill is one of the most 
important held aboard ship and is usually held once 
la. week when the same maneuvers are practised as 
though the ship were in action. All magazine 
doors and hatches under the "armored deck are 
opened. There is a complete system of trolleys 




w 







bio 

5 



Description of Drills 41 

which lead from the magazines to the different 
ammunition hoists which convey ammunition to 
the guns as needed. 

The instant General Quarters is sounded all men 
go to their allotted stations " double time " ; every- 
thing seems to be in confusion but such is not the 
case, for in a few minutes there is a continuous 
stream of ammunition being forwarded to the guns. 
Battle-ports are battened down, unused compart- 
ments closed, on deck the guns are maneuvered as 
though in real action, torpedo attacks are repelled, 
and the imaginary enemy put out of commission. 

During battery drill dummy cartridges are used 
in the smaller guns. Sometimes a wooden frame 
with which the six, seven and eight-inch gun's crew 
drill is set up. At one end a regulation breech- 
plug mechanism is attached. By making use of 
these appliances the guns proper are saved from 
much wear and tear. 

Regular drilling develops perfect team-work. 
When the guns are in action either on the target 
range or in battle, perfect team-work is essential, 
for should one of the gun's crew delay in perform- 
ing his specified duty the remainder of the crew 
would also be delayed. 

After Secure has sounded everything is re-stowed, 
magazines are locked and the keys returned to the 



42 The American Battleship in Commission 

captain. The keys of the magazines can be secured 
only with the special permission of the captain. 

Battalion Drill. Many persons are unaware that 
members of the navy are trained to be soldiers as 
well as sailors. All ships have a battalion which 
consists of every available man aboard, including 
the marines. Should any trouble arise ashore 
where Uncle Sam's interests are in jeopardy, the 
battalion is sent ashore fully armed, equipped, and 
prepared for any emergency that may arise. A 
battleship can land three hundred men or more and 
still have enough left aboard to operate the ship. 
When a fleet of warships is together a large force 
of men can be quickly landed when necessary. 

At drill, the battalion, fully equipped in heavy 
marching order, musters on the quarter-deck. Each 
man carries a haversack, canteen, arms and ammu- 
nition, the haversack contains blankets, poncho, 
shifts of clothing, toilet gear and mess kit. The 
haversack and canteen are suspended from the 
shoulders. In the battalion are the Pioneers con- 
sisting of the carpenter's gang, each member carry- 
ing a set of tools. 

The Color Guard, consisting of a detachment of 
armed men, march with the Color Bearers, protect- 
ing Old Glory. A couple of three-inch field pieces 



Description of Drills 43 

and other small machine guns are included in the 
battalion. 

It is a very imposing sight to witness a battalion 
of marines and bluejackets fully equipped, marching 
about the decks to martial music. 

The medical department is also represented in the 
battalion. When convenient, the battalion is taken 
ashore and drilled. 

Clear Ship for Action. This drill involves a con- 
siderable amount of labor, for the ship is stripped as 
though in real action. All stanchions, davits, awn- 
ings and chests are cleared away in order to give 
the guns a clear sweep. The chests, mess tables 
and benches are marked "O.B."and stowed away; 
all articles so marked would be thrown overboard 
in time of war thus reducing the danger of flying 
splinters. When the ship is stripped for action she 
looks somewhat like a bare tree, as there is no ob- 
struction or gear of any kind about the decks. 

When the drill is over the ship is rigged again, 
and after several hours of toil she once more dis- 
plays a peaceful appearance. No battleship, how- 
ever, could be properly termed peaceful when one 
realizes that within a few minutes she could be 
hurling many half-ton shells through the air. A 
thirteen-inch shell weighs eleven hundred pounds. 



44 The American Battleship in Commission 

When on the range for target practice the ship is 
also cleared for action. 



Target Practice. The good shooting records 
made by the gunpointers of the navy show the 
highest standard of efficiency. Gunpointers are 
appointed from the crew; in these appointments 
no favoritism is shown, for anyone is eligible 
whether it be the ship's cook or the chief boat- 
swain's mate. Men who can shoot straight are 
wanted and Uncle Sam surely has them. By rat- 
ing anyone who can shoot well, the navy is bene- 
fited in many respects. 

A large number of the crew are qualified to shoot 
the guns and should war occur, the gunpointers 
and other enlisted men of the navy who had re- 
mained in civil life after the expiration of their en- 
listment, would come to the front if needed. With 
the large fleet of converted cruisers and other craft 
which would be immediately commissioned, their 
services would be of great value owing to their pre- 
vious training. It is not the gunpointer alone who 
is valuable, for there are several hundred other men 
stationed throughout the ship, each of whom has 
some specified duty to perform. 

Official target practice is held annually. During 
this practice the range and speed are carefully re- 
corded. Much preliminary target practice is also 



Description of Drills 45 

held, which includes firing at long range, firing at 
night, etc. 

The expense attached to target practice is enor- 
mous, as the wear and tear of the guns and the ship 
in general costs a great deal of money, this expense 
does not include, however, the actual cost of the 
ammunition used at target practice — yet the end 
justifies the means. 

A few months before the regular target practice 
the guns are rigged up for sub-caliber practice. In 
sub-caliber practice a small rifle is strapped against 
the side of the large gun, and both guns are trained 
and sighted together. A swinging target is placed 
a few rods from the gun and when sighted properly 
the sub-caliber gun is fired. This particular form 
of target practice is known among the crew as * 4 ping 
pong/' and those who make the highest score at 
ik ping pong" are chosen to shoot the big guns at 
the regular target practice. 

The target for the big guns is about fourteen by 
twenty feet and is set up on a raft-like arrangement 
which is securely moored. The range is usually 
two thousand yards or more and is carefully marked 
off by three flags directly in line with each other, 
the center flag being in front of the target. 

The ship speeds by the range at twelve knots per 
hour, and as she comes abreast of the first flag the 
whistle is blown as a signal to commence firing. 



46 The American Battleship in Commission 

Everything is in readiness for the guns to be fired 
and when the whistle toots, there is a great noise 
and roar as the shell speeds through the air. The 
gun is now fired continuously, the gunpointers try- 
ing to make as many shots and hits as possible. 
When the ship comes abreast of the third flag the 
whistle toots again as a signal to cease firing. This 
particular form of shooting is called a ' ' string. " The 
ship always makes the same speed on the range so 
the time occupied in passing is always about the 
same. The center flag informs the officers and 
crew when half the distance has been passed. 

The admiral appoints a board of officers to take 
charge of the official target practice which goes aboard 
each ship on the range and keeps an accurate ac- 
count of all shots, time and speed, so that no par- 
tiality is shown to any ship. 

President Roosevelt presented to the navy a prize 
known as the Gunnery Trophy, which goes to the 
ship making the best score at target practice each 
season. The name of the winning ship is inscribed 
on the trophy, a space being provided for the pur- 
pose. Great rivalry exists in the navy for the win- 
ning of this much coveted prize. 

It is a fascinating sight to see a twelve- or thir- 
teen-inch gun spit a great volume of fire and hurl 
the shell through the air. When the guns are fired 
the ship trembles as though she had run into a bank 
of dough and forced herself through, and the shell 



Description of Drills 47 

seems to cut a great hole in the air as it speeds toward 
the target. 

When one type of gun has completed firing on the 
range everything is re-stowed and the gun's crew 
comes up on deck to take in the excitement. It 
seems as though the sporting blood of each man 
aboard is aroused, for when a bull's-eye is made 
(it is a tare occurrence that the target is missed) 
a great and mighty cheer is given simultaneously. 
When in line with the target, shells from the 
six-inch and up can be plainly discerned with the 
naked eye as they speed on their course. 

When a large caliber gun has been fired there is 
a tremendous roar; as the shell strikes, it throws 
the water up like a large water spout, while a couple 
of miles distant another splash can be seen ; then 
one or two more, and that is the end. 

Great precaution is exercised at target practice as 
the magazines are open and ammunition is lying 
about. Both officers and men take great pride in 
making a good score at target practice, for it is the 
result of many months of patience and toil. The 
general motto of the navy is " Only the shots that 
hit count " — and it surely requires a great many 
hits to win the Gunnery Trophy. 

Collision Drill. When the alarm is given, com- 
partments and water-tight doors are closed, hand- 
pumps rigged, etc. On our latest type of war 



48 The American Battleship in Commission 

ships all the main water-tight doors are closed auto- 
matically, a whistle or bell giving the warning to 
keep clear. This gives the crew ample time to keep 
clear of the doors as they are being closed. A col- 
lision mat is kept in a handy place on deck where it 
can be easily procured. This mat is thrown over- 
board and by means of a system of ropes and chains 
it is hauled over the imaginary hole ; were there a 
real puncture, the suction of the water entering 
would draw the mat over the hole and prevent any 
more from entering. The entire ship is a mass of 
bulkheads of all sizes and descriptions, thus should 
a puncture be made in a ship's bottom the danger 
would be quickly confined. In addition to these 
bulkheads, the ship has a complete double bottom 
which extends her entire length. A collision mat 
is about sixteen feet square and looks like a sheep- 
skin, being made of short rope tufts sewed closely 
together on heavy canvas. 

Other Drills. Many other drills take place on 
board ship, which include arm and away, signal, 
battery, sword drill and setting-up exercises. The 
deck force is drilled regularly with small arms, thus 
making them proficient. Often the entire crew is 
landed in sections and participate in small-arm 
practice, each member firing a certain number of 
rounds from a rifle and pistol. 



Description of Drills 49 

Setting-up exercises are given the entire crew 
immediately after quarters and last about five 
minutes. 

The most realistic drill of all is coaling ship, as 
this is classed as a drill and reality combined. Coal- 
ing ship is one of the most disagreeable tasks in 
the navy, because while the coaling is taking place 
the ship is more or less covered with coal dust. 
Our new ships have many modern coaling devices 
which reduce the labor, time and inconvenience of 
coaling. The large ships have a bunker capacity 
of from one thousand to two thousand five hundred 
tons. Many ships can take aboard over a hundred 
tons of coal an hour provided the coaling condi- 
tions are favorable. The different coal bunkers 
have large bunker plates, upon the removal of 
which the coal is dumped into the bunkers. When 
the coaling is completed, all coaling gear is re- 
stowed and the ship is then washed down and thor- 
oughly scrubbed. 

Most coaling is done from lighters or colliers 
which come alongside the ship. In many of the 
foreign ports the navy has its own supply of coal, 
which is of the best quality. Should a ship be or- 
dered home from a distant port, the bunkers would 
be filled to their utmost capacity and a deck load 
of coal carried, which is placed in bags and is the 
first used. 



50 The American Battleship in Commission 

Usually when a warship is ordered to sea she 
takes the least traveled route, and should a disabled 
vessel be sighted, aid would be promptly rendered. 
In time of war, to supply coal to the various war- 
ships is a serious problem. Many patent devices 
have been tried for coaling from a collier at sea, 
but the weather and other conditions must be fa- 
vorable to transfer any great amount. Should 
the day arrive when warships use oil for fuel the 
labors of the personnel will be greatly reduced. 



CHAPTER III 

THE CREW AND THEIR DUTIES — RATING AND 
PAY OF THE ENLISTED MEN — ENLISTMENTS — 
OPPORTUNITIES — SAILOR'S DUDS — AMUSE- 
MENTS AND PASTIMES — MAN-O'-WAR 
LINGO 

THE CREW AND THEIR DUTIES 

THE following descriptions will give a good 
idea of the duties required of each member 
of the crew. Our armored cruisers and 
battleships carry a crew of from five hundred to 
nine hundred men, according to the size and type 
of the vessel. The amount of work performed 
daily to keep the ship in trim is enormous. 

The naval regulations are such that each member 
of the crew is cognizant of the duties expected of 
him. The term crew refers to the enlisted men, 
while the ship's complement includes both enlisted 
men and officers. The list of rates are sectioned 
off to enable the reader to ascertain to which de- 
partment of the ship the men are assigned. 



52 The American Battleship in Commission 

engineer's department 

Machinist f s Mates stand regular watches at sea 
and work about the machinery of the ship when in 
port. A machinist with no previous sea service 
upon first enlisting is rated second-class and later 
when more proficient is rated first-class, and then 
chief. A chief machinist's mate often stands a 
throttle watch and has other important duties to 
perform. The term chief is applied to all chief 
petty officers who hold the highest rank of the en- 
listed men. 

Watertenders are in charge of the fire rooms. At 
sea two or more are on watch and they see that the 
proper amount of steam is kept up, that the boilers 
are supplied with water, and that other details are 
attended to. Watertenders are promoted from 
oilers and firemen. There are two rates, chief 
watertender, and watertender. 

Oilers stand a regular watch in the engine room 
both at sea and in port. At sea they oil the ma- 
chinery regularly and are careful that no bearings 
run hot. Most of the machinery is oiled automat- 
ically by self-feeders which are operated by a sys- 
tem of small tubes leading from the oil-reservoirs 
to the different bearings. In port, oilers stand a 
regular auxiliary watch attending to the steam 



The Crew and Their Duties 53 

pumps and assisting in general. There is but one 
rate of oiler and he is promoted from fireman. 

Boilermakers perform all necessary work on the 
boilers. When the ship has arrived in port from a 
voyage considerable work is done ; old grate-bars, 
bridge walls, gaskets, etc., are renewed. Many of 
our ships with high-pressure boilers have a working 
pressure of two hundred and fifty pounds of steam. 

Blacksmiths perform all the smithing work of the 
engineer's department. Many ships are equipped 
with a modern blacksmith shop. The majority of 
the repairs aboard ship are made by the officers and 
the crew. Should all the repair work be done by 
private shipyards, the Naval Appropriation would 
no doubt have to be doubled. 

Coppersmiths, blacksmiths, plumbers and boiler- 
makers are enlisted first-class direct. There is only 
one rate of each. All suction and supply pipes 
from the pumps, condensers and other machinery 
are made of copper, for many of these pipes have 
salt water circulating through them, and were they 
not made of copper, they would soon deteriorate. 

Firemen keep up steam in the boilers. At sea 
the engineer's department is divided into steaming 



54 The American Battleship in Commission 

watches, as a rule they are divided into four 
watches, thus giving the men more time off duty. 
There are two rates of firemen ; first-class and 
second-class. Firemen with experience are enlisted 
direct, but the majority are rated from coalpassers. 

Coalpassers trolley the coal from the bunkers to 
the firemen, each supplying a certain number of 
fires with coal. All coal bunkers are equipped with 
a complete trolley system, the coal being shoveled 
into iron buckets which are trolleyed to the firemen. 
At the end of each watch fires are cleaned, ashes 
hoisted and dumped overboard, and everything in 
the fire room is turned over to the relief watch in 
good order. 

carpenter's gang 

Carpenter s Mates keep in repair all woodwork of 
the ship. There are four rates ; chief, first-class, 
second-class and third-class. Each ship is allowed 
a certain number of men of each rate, and with so 
many of the crew being transferred, paid off, etc., 
there are many vacancies which are filled by pro- 
moting members of the crew when possible to do so. 

Shipfitters have a complete knowledge of the ship 
and their duty is to perform all riveting and other 
work outside of the engineer's department. Upon 



The Crew and Their Duties 55 

first enlisting, they are rated second-class and later, 
first-class. 



Shipwrights perform duties similar to those of the 
carpenter's mates, and when vacancies occur they 
are promoted to the higher rates. Many of the 
rates are divided into several grades which create 
many opportunities for advancement. 

Painters are included in the artificer's branch. 
In the paint locker all necessary paints are stored 
and mixed ready for use. Uncle Sam takes great 
pride in having his ships kept scrupulously clean, 
both within and without. The painters mix and 
serve all necessary paints besides performing all 
skilled labor, as retouching the figurehead, letter- 
ing, etc. There are three rates of painters ; first- 
class, second-class and third-class. 

DECK FORCE 

Masters-at-Arms are to the ship what a police 
force is to a city. There are four rates; chief, 
first-class, second-class and third-class. Masters-at- 
arms are responsible for prisoners, all parts of the 
enclosed decks where the crew eat, and mast call. 
The names of all who commit themselves are en- 
tered in the report book, and when the captain is 
prepared to hold court, mast call is sounded and 



56 The American Battleship in Commission 

the master-at-arms lines up all the offenders on the 
quarter-deck where the captain passes judgment on 
each case. Most offenses committed are of a minor 
nature. 

Boatswain 's Mates do duty about the upper decks 
of the ship, one or more being assigned to each di- 
vision. They carry silver whistles or "pipes" 
which are blown according to a certain code of 
signals. The deck force, which is divided into di- 
visions, is assigned to certain sections of the ship. 
In this manner each division keeps in order a cer- 
tain part of the ship. There are three rates ; chief, 
first-class and second-class. 

Coxswains are detailed in charge of the ship's 
boats, each boat rating one, and they, with the rest 
of the boat crews, keep their respective boats in 
order. Coxswains are promoted from seamen ; 
their next advancement is to boatswain's mate. 

Quartermasters stand a regular watch on the 
bridge at sea and in port. At sea they keep a 
keen lookout, sending and receiving all signals, 
and in port they keep a sharp lookout and report 
all passing vessels, signals, etc. The signal flags 
are placed in lockers on the bridge where they 
are ready for instant use. There are four rates 




r. 

he 

- 



The Crew and Their Duties 57 

of quartermaster ; chief, first-class, second-class and 
third-class. 

Seamen, Ordinary Seamen and Apprentice Sea- 
men are three distinct rates. Upon first enlisting 
in the seamen branch a recruit without any previous 
training is rated apprentice seaman, after passing 
through several courses of training and found to be 
proficient, he is gradually promoted. 

Sailmakers Mates have charge of all the canvas 
work of the ship. Twice a month clean clothing 
bags and hammocks are issued to the crew and the 
soiled ones are scrubbed and turned in to the sail- 
maker's mate. There is but one rate of sailmaker's 
mate. 

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT 

Gunner s Mates are in charge of the different 
batteries, magazines and other ordnance appliances 
to which they are assigned. Members of the crew 
are detailed to the different guns as the regular 
gun's crews. The guns and their accessories are 
kept in perfect order. There are four rates of 
gunner's mates ; chief, first-class, second-class and 
third-class. 

Turret Captains are detailed for duty in the tur- 
rets only, and they have a thorough technical 



58 The American Battleship in Commission 

knowledge of the guns, and are also in charge of 
the turret. A turret captain is next in command 
after the turret officer and should anything happen 
to the turret officer, the turret captain would then 
take charge. They also act as drill instructors and 
drill the gun's crew when necessary. There are 
two rates of turret captains ; chief and first-class. 



PAY DEPARTMENT 

Commissary Stewards cater to the crew's mess 
and when convenient, they go ashore and pur- 
chase all the necessary provisions and supplies. 
Every enlisted man is allowed a certain amount of 
fresh bread, meat, etc., which is issued to the cooks 
in bulk daily. 

Ship's Cooks do cooking for the crew only. The 
ship is equipped with a large modern galley which 
contains many ranges, besides several large coppers. 
All cooking in the coppers is done by steam. A 
regular bill of fare is made out in advance by the 
commissary steward — each mess fares alike, for no 
one is allowed to contribute any mess money. 
Should the meal be a poor one or improperly 
cooked, members of the crew would take a sample 
of it to the officer-of-the-deck where the complaint 
is investigated. There are four rates of ship's 



The Grew and Their Duties 59 

cooks ; first-class, second-class, third-class and 
fourth-class. 

Bakers are also carried, and their services are very 
much in demand. In order to realize this, one 
need but consider the amount of fresh bread con- 
sumed daily by six hundred or more men. The 
baker has a modern bake oven and bake shop for 
making bread and pastries. When in port the 
fresh bread is generally purchased ashore. There 
are two rates of bakers; first-class and second- 
class. 

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 

Hospital Stewards have charge of the sick-bay or 
ship's hospital and they carry out the doctor's 
orders pertaining to the treatment of patients and 
other routine. Hospital stewards are well versed 
in pharmacy. There is but one rate of hospital 
steward. 

Hospital Apprentices serve out medicine, take 
temperatures and assist in general. There are two 
rates of hospital apprentices; first-class and hos- 
pital apprentice. 



6o The American Battleship in Commission 



CLERICAL FORCE 

Yeomen are assigned to different departments of 
the ship. Pay, equipment, engineer's department, 
admiral, captain, executive officer, and navigator, 
each have one or more yeomen to perform the nec- 
essary clerical work. There are many log books, 
accounts and records kept aboard ship. Members 
of the crew are often rated yeomen when found 
qualified. There are four rates of yeomen ; chief, 
first-class, second-class and third-class. 

Printers are carried principally aboard flagships. 
They have a complete printing press with which 
band programs and fleet orders are printed. Many 
of the large ships print a weekly or monthly paper 
which is devoted to the interests of the crew. 
There is but one rate of printer. 

OTHER RATES 

Electricians stand regular watches as the dynamos 
are in operation day and night. On the latest 
type of warships, blowers, cranes, and gun turrets 
are operated by electrical power. The dynamo 
room is located in a separate compartment below 
the armored deck. The ship contains a mass of 
electrical appliances which are kept in perfect order. 



The Crew and Their Duties 61 

There are four rates of electricians; chief, first- 
class, second-class and third-class. 

Buglers stand a regular watch and sound all calls 
which are ordered by the officer-of-the-deck. Each 
drill call is quickly recognized by the notes sounded 
on the bugle. At sea the bugler's duties are quite 
light there being but few calls. There is but one rate 
of bugler. 

Bandmaster is in charge of the ship's band. All 
ships of the first rate, battleships, armored cruisers, 
and flagships, carry a band. The bandmaster leads 
the band and ranks as a chief petty officer. 

Bandsmen are quite an acquisition to the ship. 
When at sea it is quite a treat to go on deck and 
listen to the concert. All members of the band 
are also proficient with stringed instruments. There 
are two rates of bandsmen ; first-class and second- 
class. 

Marines, consisting of about sixty-five men, are 
carried together with their regular quota of ser- 
geants and corporals. Marines stand sentry watch 
about the ship and are also assigned to several of 
the ship's guns as the regular gun crews. The 
Marine Corps is a special branch of the navy, and 



62 The American Battleship in Commission 

its maintenance is provided for in the regular naval 
appropriation. 

Cooks, Stewards and Mess Attendants are three 
distinct rates. The admiral, captain, wardroom 
officers, junior officers and warrant officers' mess 
have their regular allowance of cooks, stewards 
and mess attendants. The officers' standard of 
living is regulated by the mess money they sub- 
scribe. 

EXTRA RATES 

There are many extra rates in the navy which 
entitle the holders thereof to extra pay. 

Gunpointers receive ten, eight, six, four and two 
dollars per month extra which is regulated accord- 
ing to the classification of the gunpointer. No 
doubt our wonderful shooting records have been 
brought about by this rate. 

Captain-of-the-Hold is appointed from seaman 
and he receives five dollars per month extra. He 
has charge of the ship's main hold where anchor 
gear, hawsers and all other nautical gear are stowed. 
Should the boatswain send for a certain article the 
captain-of-the-hold would fill the order. The cap- 
tain-of-the-hold also keeps account of the fresh 
water used outside of the engineer's department. 



The Crew and Their Duties 63 

Lamplighters are appointed from ordinary sea- 
men. A supply of spare lanterns and side-lights is 
carried which is to provide for an emergency should 
the electric lights fail. Lamplighters also attend to 
the portable lights about the decks. Their extra 
pay is five dollars per month. 

Signal Men first-class receive three dollars per 
month extra, second-class signal men receive two 
dollars, and third-class signal men, one dollar per 
month extra. They are expert in receiving and 
sending signals quickly and accurately. They work 
on the bridge with the quartermasters. 

Ship's Tailor and Tailor s Helper are also ap- 
pointed from the crew. All clothing issued by the 
paymaster is altered free of charge. In this man- 
ner Jack's clothes are sure to fit. There are also 
other men aboard ship who do tailoring for the 
crew. The ship's tailor receives twenty dollars 
extra per month and the helper ten dollars. 

Jack-of-the-Dusts are detailed from ordinary sea- 
men. They are attached to the pay department 
and assist in issuing clothing and rations. Their 
extra pay is five dollars per month. 

Submarine Boat Men receive five dollars per 



64 The American Battleship in Commission 

month extra, also one dollar additional for every 
day or part thereof that their boat may be sub- 
merged. 

Mess Men are detailed from ordinary seamen to 
wait upon the tables, bring the food from the gal- 
ley, and lay out the meals for the crew. About 
twenty men are assigned to each mess. Mess men 
receive five dollars per month extra. 

Drill Instructors are chief petty officers who drill 
and train the recruits of the seamen branch at the 
Naval Training Stations maintained ashore. Their 
extra pay is ten dollars per month. 

RATING AND PAY OF THE ENLISTED MEN 

The following tables give the rating and pay of 
the enlisted men. All these pay tables signify ini- 
tial pay ; the longer one remains in the service the 
greater his pay. 

Previous to July I, 1903, all chief petty officers 
received from $50.00 to $70.00 per month which 
was regulated according to the rating of the chief 
petty officer. When an enlisted man is promoted 
he is given an acting appointment, and when the 
acting appointment has been in force one year, the 
owner is then recommended for a permanent ap- 











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Rating and Pay of the Enlisted Men 65 

pointment. When a chief petty officer receives a 
permanent appointment he is then entitled to 
$70.00 per month. With all other rates the pay is 
the same regardless of the permanent appointment. 
Under certain conditions an enlisted man can be 
promoted to a higher rate without a permanent 
appointment. This is done upon the approval of 
the Commanding Officer and the Navy Department. 



CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS 

Acting Permanent 

Rate Appointment Appointment 

Pay per month Pay per month 

Chief Master-at-Arms .$65.00 $70.00 

Chief Carpenter's Mate 50.00 70.00 

Chief Boatswain's Mate 50.00 70.00 

Chief Yeoman 60. 00 70. 00 

Chief Gunner's Mate 50.00 70.00 

Commissary Steward 60.00 70.00 

Chief Quartermaster 50.00 70.00 

Chief Commissary Steward.... 70.00 70.00 

Bandmaster 52.00 70.00 

Chief Machinist's Mate 70.00 70.00 

* Hospital Steward 60.00 60.00 

Chief Watertender 50.00 70.00 

Chief Electrician 60.00 70.00 

Chief Turret Captain 60.00 70.00 

* Hospital Steward's pay is regulated by Congress. 



66 The American Battleship in Commission 

FIRST-CLASS PETTY OFFICERS 

Rate Pay per month 

Machinist's Mate, first-class $55. 00 

Yeoman, first-class 40. 00 

Electrician, first-class 50.00 

Master-at-Arms, first-class 40.00 

Boatswain's Mate, first-class 40.00 

Gunner's Mate, first-class 40. 00 

Quartermaster, first-class 40.00 

Carpenter's Mate, first-class 40.00 

Coppersmith 55. 00 

Shipfitter, first-class 55. 00 

Painter, first-class 40. 00 

Turret Captain, first-class 50.00 

Watertender 40.00 

Boilermaker 65.00 

Blacksmith 50. 00 

Plumber and Fitter 45.00 

Sailmaker's Mate 40. 00 

First Musician 36.00 

SECOND-CLASS PETTY OFFICERS 

Rate Pay per month 

Master-at-Arms, second-class $35. 00 

Machinist's Mate, second-class. 40.00 

Electrician, second-class 40.00 

Boatswain's Mate, second-class 35. 00 

Gunner's Mate, second-class 35. 00 

Yeoman, second-class 35. 00 

Carpenter's Mate, second-class «... 35.00 

Quartermaster, second-class 35. 00 



Rating and Pay of the Enlisted Men 67 

Shipfitter, second-class $40.00 

Painter, second-class 35. 00 

Oiler 37.00 

Printer 35. 00 

THIRD-CLASS PETTY OFFICERS 

Rate Pay per month 

Carpenter's Mate, third-class $30.00 

Master-at-Arms, third-class 30.00 

Electrician, third-class 30.00 

Gunner's Mate, third-class 30.00 

Painter, third-class 30.00 

Yeoman, third-class 30.00 

Quartermaster, third-class 30.00 

Coxswain 30. 00 

Hospital Apprentice, first-class 30.00 

OTHER RATES 

Rate Pay per month 

Seaman $24.00 

Ordinary Seaman 1 9. 00 

Apprentice Seaman 16.00 

Bugler 30. 00 

Fireman, first-class . . . 35.00 

Fireman, second-class 30.00 

Coalpasser 22.00 

Shipwright 25. 00 

Ship's Cook, first-class 55. 00 

Ship's Cook, second-class 40.00 



68 The American Battleship in Commission 

Ship's Cook, third-class $30.00 

Ship's Cook, fourth-class 25.00 

Musician, first-class 32.00 

Musician, second-class 30.00 

Baker, first-class 45. 00 

Baker, second-class 35. 00 

Hospital Apprentice 20.00 

Admiral's Cook 50. 00 

Admiral's Steward 60.00 

Cabin Steward . 50. 00 

Cabin Cook 45. 00 

Wardroom Steward 50.00 

Wardroom Cook 45. 00 

Warrant Officers' Steward 35. 00 

Warrant Officers' Cook 30.00 

Mess Attendant, first-class 30.00 

Mess Attendant, second-class 25.00 

Mess Attendant, third-class 20.00 

EXTRA RATES* 

Rate Pay per month 

Captain-of-the-Hold $5.00 

Jack-of-the-Dust 5.00 

Lamplighter 5.00 

* There are many extra rates aboard ship which are given to 
the men holding a lower rate. This extra pay demonstrates how 
liberal Uncle Sam is to the enlisted men, for the men would have 
to perform these duties without extra pay should the Navy De- 
partment see fit. 



Rating and Pay of the Enlisted Men 69 

Rate Pay per month 

Coxswain of Steam Launch $ 5.00 

Messmen . . 5. 00 

Signal-man, first-class 3. 00 

Signal-man, second-class 2.00 

Signal-man, third-class 1.00 

Ship's Tailor . 20. 00 

Men on submarine boat duty 5.00 

Tailor's Helper 10.00 

Heavy Gunpointers, first-class 10.00 

Heavy Gunpointers, second-class 6.00 

Intermediate Gunpointers, first-class 8.00 

Intermediate Gunpointers, second-class 4.00 

Secondary Gunpointers, first-class 4.00 

Secondary Gunpointers, second-class 2.00 

Drill Instructors (at Naval Training Sta- 
tions) 10.00 

THE MARINE CORPS* 

Rate Pay per month 

Sergeant Major $34.00 to $42.00 

Quartermaster Sergeant 34.00 to 42.00 

Drum Major 25.00 to 33.00 

Gunnery Sergeant. 35.00 to 43.00 

First Sergeant 25.00 to 33.00 

Sergeant 18.00 to 26.00 

Corporal 15.00 to 23.00 

Private 13.00 to 21.00 

* Marines receive clothing allowance and their pay increases 
according to length of service. A regular pay schedule is ar- 
ranged for this purpose. 



;o The American Battleship in Commission 

ENLISTMENTS 

Upon enlisting, the Shipping Articles (an agree- 
ment between the Government and the recruit) are 
read, and the recruit agrees on oath to obey all 
rules and regulations of the naval service. The 
enlistment record is under the personal supervision 
of the executive officer. All offenses, recommen- 
dations and other details are entered upon this 
record. 

The term of enlistment is four years. Perma- 
nent recruiting stations are established in many of 
the large cities, and traveling recruiting parties are 
also sent out by the Navy Department to visit the 
smaller cities and towns. When a number of men 
have been enlisted they are sent to the different 
receiving ships and training stations. 

A receiving ship is known as a guardo which is 
nothing more than a sailors boarding house. A 
guardo presents a busy scene as all unassigned 
bluejackets are quartered aboard awaiting assign- 
ment. Men whose enlistment is about to expire 
are generally sent to a guardo to be paid off. 

Training stations are located ashore where newly 
enlisted men, as apprentice seamen, are sent. Af- 
ter successfully passing several courses of training, 
recruits are promoted, and sent to the different 



ENLISTMENT RECORD. 

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Signaling. 



Sobriety.. 



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Personal characteristics, marks 



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Percentage of time on sick list during, enlistment, 
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PHOTOGRAPHIC REDUCTION FROM ORIGINAL. 



Enlistment 71 

ships in commission to fill vacancies. The majority 
of the recruits take to the sea like a duck to water 
as there is seldom a case of chronic seasickness. 
When one stows away a couple of pounds of " salt 
horse" (salted meat) all tendency toward seasick- 
ness disappears. 

A complete outfit of clothing is furnished the 
recruit which is taken to the master-at-arms where 
the owner's name is stamped on each article accord- 
ing to the naval regulations. Upon donning his 
new uniform the recruit feels quite strange but this 
soon disappears. A few days after enlisting it is 
probable the recruit will be writing home telling 
his folks all about the service. 

Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the 
navy, four cents per mile is granted from point of 
discharge to original point of enlistment. This 
mileage money is paid in lieu of transportation and 
subsistence which the Government agreed to fur- 
nish. The discharge is made out according to the 
owner's enlistment record, there being a regular 
scale of marks for this purpose. In selecting mem- 
bers of the crew for promotion, those who have a 
good enlistment record are preferred. There are 
three grades of discharge ; honorable, ordinary and 
dishonorable. 

On the opposite page is a facsimile of the dis- 
charge received by the author upon the expiration 



72 The American Battleship in Commission 

of his second enlistment. By referring to this dis- 
charge it will be noted that $1.36 was granted as 
increase pay when reenlisting within a period of 
four months after discharge. Since that date, a 
new order has been issued granting $5.00 increase 
of pay per month throughout the second enlistment 
and $3.00 increase of pay per month during each 
subsequent enlistment. This increase of pay will 
enable a recruit who enlists with no trade or pro- 
fession to eventually draw from $75.00 to $100.00 
per month. This, of course, after he has become 
a chief petty officer, which can easily be accom- 
plished on the second enlistment. 

OPPORTUNITIES 

It is quite evident that there are many openings 
in the navy for an enlisted man. The pay tables 
demonstrate the fact that there are over one hun- 
dred different rates (positions) aboard ship. To 
compare the pay of these various rates with similar 
vocations in civil life, would reveal the fact that the 
navy men receive in the end, far better pay. Take 
for instance, a coalpasser or an apprentice seaman, 
these are the lowest paid men in the service, the 
navy enlists these recruits with the intention of 
training them to qualify for higher and better paid 
positions. 

Quartermasters, gunner's mates, boatswain's 



Opportunities 73 

mates and many others are gradually promoted in 
turn from apprentice seamen. The members of the 
engineer's department, firemen, oilers and water- 
tenders, are gradually promoted from coalpassers. 
When a civilian is employed as a laborer he can 
advance no higher, but in the navy, however, it is 
different, as there are many provisions for advance- 
ment. No recruit is competent to fill certain posi- 
tions, as gunner's mate or boatswain's mate until 
he has been especially trained to qualify. 

Mechanics in the navy average far better wages 
than those in civil life. The author has found this 
to be true from personal experience. There are no 
dues, strikes, lay-offs, pay stopped while sick, or 
any of the other hardships which are often encoun- 
tered in civil life. When on the sick list the patient 
is excused from all duties, and all medical attend- 
ance and medicines are furnished gratis, and the 
patient receives full pay during the period that he 
may be sick. 

Upon being recommended by their superior offi- 
cers, certain members of the crew are sent to the 
different naval schools which are maintained ashore, 
to make them more proficient in their duties ; while 
at the school members receive their regular pay 
and ration. Those who graduate are given a di- 
ploma and transferred to the various ships. In this 



74 The American Battleship in Commission 

manner the navy acquires men who are experts in 
their professions. 

As a rule, after a man honorably discharged from 
the navy has remained in civil life for a short period 
(about two months), a longing for the sea is again 
felt, the result of which is that he will make up his 
mind to reenlist, especially if he was paid off with 
a small pay day. In the navy, the meal pennant 
(a red pennant hoisted at the signal yard during 
meal hours) is hoisted three times a day without 
fail. In civil life the meal pennant is often hoisted 
irregularly. 

During the year 1906, over three quarters of a 
million dollars ($750,000) was deposited in the 
ships' banks by the enlisted men. All money thus 
deposited draws interest at the rate of four per 
cent, per annum. This above mentioned sum does 
not include the enormous amount sent home by 
allotment. 

The above paragraph explains why many of the 
enlisted men remain in civil life after being dis- 
charged from the service. The old saying " A 
sailor works like a horse for his money and spends 
it like a jackass," is not true of the men of the 
navy. Were the total amount of money deposited 
in the ships' banks and that sent home by allot- 
ment computed, it would be well into the millions. 

Many bluejackets leave a * * girl behind " when 



Sailor's Duds 75 

they enlist. These men save their money with the 
expectation of settling down after the expiration of 
their enlistment, and in this way the service loses 
many good men who no doubt would reenlist for 
duty on the high (not the matrimonial) sea. 

Good conduct medals are often presented the 
enlisted men by the Navy Department. Any one 
performing an extraordinary act of bravery is pre- 
sented with a medal, and when convenient, the 
prospective recipient of the medal is ordered to 
Washington, D. C, where the presentation takes 
place. 

SAILOR'S DUDS 

The togs of a bluejacket are in a class by them- 
selves. The quality of the materials used in making 
the clothes is unsurpassed. The Navy Department 
manufactures a large portion of this clothing ; the 
remainder is let out by contract to private firms. 
As similar goods cannot be purchased elsewhere, 
the navy man is equipped with an outfit of clothing 
which cannot be duplicated. 

Upon first enlisting the recruit is furnished with 
a complete outfit of clothing by the Government 
which consists of shoes, hats, various uniforms, 
several suits of light and heavy underwear, leggings, 
neckerchief and knife lanyard. All clothing issued 
thereafter is charged to the person to whom issued. 



76 The American Battleship in Commission 

A hammock furnished complete is also given. 
Sleeping in a hammock is quite comfortable; in 
warm weather, the clews (a series of cords which 
regulate the swing of the hammock) are so adjusted 
that the hammock swings flat. In cold weather, if 
the center clews are slackened the hammock will 
fit snugly to the occupant's body. 

Each sailor has a ditty-box which is a small box 
made of hard wood. The lid is quite deep and 
contains letters and writing paper; the tray con- 
tains toilet gear and other trinkets, the bottom 
contains towel, shoe brush and the knickknacks 
which only a sailor can accumulate. A bluejacket 
can pack up and be ready for transfer within ten 
minutes if necessary. 

AMUSEMENTS AND PASTIMES 

Shore folks who are unfamiliar with man-o'-war 
life may form the opinion that life aboard ship is 
quite monotonous. Men who remain in the serv- 
ice do so because the service offers to them the 
best pay and general inducements. The amuse- 
ments and pastimes aboard ship are of such a varied 
character that it is a difficult matter to enumerate all 
of them. 

By making navy life congenial to the enlisted 
men the service retains many of them. The large 
type of ships carries a band. Evening concerts are 



Amusements and Pastimes 77 

given for the crew and they go on deck and listen 
to the music — sometimes the sailors dance with 
each other. 

Athletic sports are greatly encouraged by the 
Navy Department, and each ship is allowed a cer- 
tain amount of money yearly with which to pur- 
chase sporting goods ; each ship also has its own 
baseball and football teams. As nearly all of our 
ships travel around in fleets much time is devoted 
to sporting events. A trophy is generally given to 
the crew when a series of games, as baseball and 
football, is played. 

Boat racing is one of the most exciting sports of 
the navy. When the crew of one ship wish to 
challenge another, the boat to be used is lowered ; 
this crosses the other ship's bow at full speed ; as 
it crosses the bow, the coxswain gives the order 
"Toss Oars," the race boat's crew raise their oars 
and hold them upright. This is a direct challenge, 
and should the crew of the challenged ship wish to 
race they would invite the racing boat's crew aboard 
and make arrangements for the same. 

Boxing contests are also very popular and there 
are many expert boxers in the service. When it 
comes to financial backing for boat racing or other 
sporting events, the crews of the ships are "on 
deck " with the necessary funds. 

Shore leave is frequently granted and the crew 



yS The American Battleship in Commission 

go ashore in watches or sections. At meal time 
the " bumboat" (shore boat) comes alongside the 
ship to peddle fruit and pastries. All forms of 
card games, checkers, chess and other games of 
skill are played, but no gambling is permitted. 
Should members of the crew be caught gambling 
they would be severely punished. 

When members of the crew wish to visit other 
ships, a visiting party is made up and the list handed 
to the officer-of-the-deck who grants permission for 
the party to go visiting. The ship's boats are used 
to convey the visiting party to and from their des- 
tination. 

Often when the weather is fine, permission is 
granted to go swimming from the side of the ship. 
Any one wishing a swim dons a bathing suit and the 
instant swimming call is sounded there is a swarm 
of bluejackets in the water swimming and splashing 
about. 

A boat is detailed to lay off from the side of the 
ship to render aid instantly in case of accident. 
The men are not permitted to remain in the water 
too long. When recall is sounded all hands come 
out. 

Each ship has an up-to-date library which con- 
tains several hundred volumes, and the most popu- 
lar books with the men are those on travel. Many 
members of the crew are talented singers and musi- 




The Pennsylvania's Broadside. A few broadise guns of an armored cruiser. 

The port side looking af£. 



r\ii^vT>i.rVlf- 1 OOK V»y- ffnrinno Mull, 



Man-o'-War Lingo 79 

cians. It is quite a treat to hear a quartette sing- 
ing on the forecastle (pronounced foc'sl by seafar- 
ing men) to the accompaniment of several stringed 
instruments. 

The dramatic talent has an opportunity to dis- 
play itself at the various theatrical performances 
frequently given. Little artificial scenery is re- 
quired, the big guns, neat appearance of the offi- 
cers and crew, and the general surroundings fur- 
nishing all the necessary scenery. The stage is 
rigged up on deck. Officers and men of the fleet 
and sometimes people from shore are invited to the 
performance. 

No admittance is charged at these theatrical per- 
formances, for the officers and crew furnish every- 
thing needed. The entertainments, of course, are 
more or less of a salty nature. Entertainments 
are also frequently given to aid some shipmate who 
has met with misfortune, and an admission fee is 
charged to entertainments of this kind. The 
amount netted from one of these performances is 
never less than $500.00. 

MAN-O'-WAR LINGO 

Many of the terms and expressions used by the 
men in the navy are most peculiar. Should a civil- 
ian overhear, two bluejackets conversing about the 
service he would hear many terms which would 



80 The American Battleship in Commission 

certainly be incomprehensible to him. The follow- 
ing list will give a fair idea of the meaning of some 
of the expressions: 

4 ■ Going down hill M — over half the enlistment in. 

" Rookie " — a recruit. 

" Smokestack " — an imaginary jag. 

" Ship over" — to reenlist. 

" Jimmy Legs " — the master-at-arms of the ship. 

"Black gang" — all men belonging to the engi- 
neer's department. 

'• Mailo " — the mail has arrived aboard the ship 
and is ready to be distributed. 

" Blacky M — the blacksmith. 

14 Chips " — a carpenter's mate. 

"Coppers" — the coppersmith. 

11 The Chief M — chief engineer of the ship. 

" Lucky bag" — a room in which are placed all 
articles lost aboard ship. 

" Jumped " — desertion by a sailor. 

"Six months and a bob" — refers to one who 
has been court-martialed and sentenced to six 
months in prison and given a dishonorable dis- 
charge. 

" Pipe down " — shut up. 

" Belay "—hold on. 

" Dog " — a bottle of liquor. 

" Tell it to a marine " — a remark used when one 



Man-o'-War Lingo 81 

person does not believe a statement another is tell- 
ing him. 

" The ghost walking" — pay day, 

" Pot on M — a person with a heavy list to port. 

"Beach comber " — one who hangs around sa- 
loons ashore and who has no desire to work. 

" Hike " — to go ashore on a heavy march. 

"Sea-going" — traveling at sea. 

"Mulligan" — a favorite dish of an unknown 
quality. 

"Charley Noble" — the galley stovepipe. 

"Sea-dog" — an old sailor with several enlist- 
ment stripes on his arm. 

"Run up" — brought to the mast for offenses 
committed. 

" Breaking it " — remaining overtime on shore. 

" Down for a chance" — on the report for mast call. 

"Canned Willie" — canned beef. 

"On the books" — money due on the paymas- 
ter's books. 

" Pie wagon " — the brig where prisoners are con- 
fined. 

" Sea-lawyer" — one who thinks he knows more 
about the Blue Book than the captain. 

" Hitch" — an enlistment. 

" Hitched up " — married. 

" Cum shaw " — a rake-off. 

" Big ticket " — honorable discharge. 



82 The American Battleship in Commission 

" Stone frigate " — prisons ashore. 

" Sheeney " — a person having a sewing machine 
and doing tailor work aboard ship. 

14 Gadget " — a makeshift name for any object. 

11 Jaw-bone " — credit. 

" Busted " — disrated to a lower rating. 

" Hurdy gurdy " — a sewing machine operated 
by hand. 

" Mud hook " — the ship's anchor. 

" Berth-deck-slusher " — messmen who wait on 
the tables of the crew. 

" Rope-yarn Sunday " — Wednesday afternoon 
when the crew overhaul their bag of clothing. 

" Dead soldier " — an empty bottle. 

" Making knots " — hurrying. 

" Micky " — nickname for the U.S.S. Mohican. 

44 Philly " — nickname for the U.S.S. Philadelphia. 

" Show a leg" — when the master-at-arms wakes 
the crew in the morning they call out, "Rise and 
shine " or " Show a leg." 

" Stand by " — be on hand. 

" Draws more water" — receives more pay. 

" Blow-off-at-a-low-pressure " — refers to a talka- 
tive person. 

" Under the gun " — one sitting next the dealer 
in a friendly game of "draw." 

"Got the wrinkles out " — sensation of hunger 
removed. 



Man-o'-War Lingo 83 

11 God's country" — any part of the United 
States. 

" Douse the glim " — extinguish the light. 

" Put in his oar ' — to " butt in." 

" Sloper " — a person from the West coast of the 
United States. 

" Snowdigger" — a person from the East coast 
of the United States, 

" Batten down " — secure. 

"Straight kick " — dishonorably discharged,. 

4< Red house M — insane asylum. 

11 Swallowed the Blue Book — one who is con- 
tinually quoting the naval regulations. 

" Caught a crab M — oar caught in the water. 

u Shove off, Jack " — a hint to move on. 

" Straggler " — a deserter who voluntarily gives 
himself up within a period of six months after de- 
sertion. 

" Heave to " — stop. 

4< Swing ship " — placing the ship in position to 
enable the navigator to adjust the compass. 

" All night in and beans for breakfast " — are- 
mark that is made by one who has had no night 
watch and awakes with a good appetite. 



CHAPTER IV 

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION OF A BATTLESHIP — ORD- 
NANCE — MAIN GUNS — CREW OF A LARGE 
GUN — INTERMEDIATE AND SECONDARY 
BATTERY GUNS— HOW A LARGE GUN 
IS MADE — AMMUNITION — TOR- 
PEDOES 

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION OF A BATTLESHIP 

OWING to the fact that Chapters IV and V 
dwell principally on the material part of 
the navy this article entitled " Official De- 
scription of a Battleship " will convey to the reader 
an accurate idea of the many details which are pro- 
vided for in making the plans and specifications of 
a battleship. 

The chiefs of the different bureaus of the Navy 
Department at Washington submit to the Honor- 
able Secretary of the Navy an annual report in 
printed form. This report contains in a condensed 
form all important data pertaining to each bureau. 
The descriptive matter herein reproduced is taken 



Official Description of a Battleship 85 

from the Annual Report of the Chief Constructor 
of the United States Navy. This data pertains to the 
battleship New Hampshire. The battleships Con- 
necticut, Louisiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Vermont, 
are sister ships of the New Hampshire; thus these 
six great battleships are designed on about the 
same plans. 

Owing to the fact that the construction of the 
New Hampshire was started later than her sister 
ships, she may be equipped with a few more mod- 
ern improvements; these improvements, however, 
are only of a minor nature. The important data, 
such as length, beam, and battery are identically 
the same. This type of warship was the first to be 
equipped with seven-inch guns which represent 
their broadside batteries. 

The plans and specifications of a battleship, 
from which the various ship builders of the United 
States base their bids, is a voluminous document 
consisting of several thousand pages of printed 
matter. 

The plans and specifications of first-class battle- 
ship No. 25, New Hampshire, authorized by Con- 
gress, were completed and advertised. The con- 
tract for this vessel was signed with the New York 
Shipbuilding Company, Camden, N. J., at a price 
of $3,748,000. 



86 The American Battleship in Commission 

The general dimensions and features of the ves- 
sel are as follows : 

Length on load water-line 450 feet 

Breadth, extreme, at load water-line. ..76 feet 10 inches 

Displacement on trial, not more than 16,000 tons 

Mean draft to bottom of keel at trial displacement not 

to exceed 24 feet 6 inches 

Coal bunker capacity, about 2 >3 I 4 tons 

Coal carried on trial 900 tons 

Feed water carried on trial 66 tons 

The hull is to be steel throughout, in accordance 
with the " Specifications for the Inspection of Hull 
Material. " 

Armament: 

Main Battery — 

Four twelve-inch breech-loading rifles. 
Eight eight-inch breech-loading rifles. 
Twelve seven-inch breech-loading rifles. 
Four submerged torpedo tubes. 

Secondary Battery — 

Twelve three-inch (fourteen-pounder) rapid 

fire guns. 
Twelve three-pounder semi-automatic guns. 
Four one-pounder semi-automatic guns. 
Two three-inch field pieces. 
Two machine guns, caliber .30. 
Two automatic guns, caliber .30. 



Official Description of a Battleship 87 

The foregoing battery complete will be furnished by 
the Government, and will be mounted as follows: 

The twelve-inch guns, in pairs, in two electrically 
controlled, balanced, elliptical turrets, on the cen- 
ter line, one forward and one aft, each with an arc 
of fire of about 270 . 

The eight-inch guns, in pairs, in four electrically 
controlled, balanced, elliptical turrets, two on each 
beam, at each end of the superstructure. 

The seven-inch guns, in broadside, on pedestal 
mounts on the gun deck behind seven-inch armor, 
each gun being isolated by splinter bulkheads of 
nickel steel of from one to two inches thick ; for- 
ward and after guns arranged to fire right ahead 
and right astern, respectively; other seven-inch 
guns to have the usual broadside train. 

The guns of the secondary battery in command- 
ing positions, having a large arc of unobstructed 
fire, and protected wherever practicable. 

All the seven-inch guns are so arranged that their 
muzzles train inside the line of the side armor, thus 
leaving a clear and unobstructed side when it is de- 
sired to go alongside a pier or vessel. 

Arrangements will be made whereby the three- 
inch guns on the main deck can be quickly and con- 
veniently dismounted, housed, and secured. 

Four torpedo tubes and accessories will be in- 
stalled, two each in forward and after submerged 



88 The American Battleship in Commission 

torpedo rooms. Directing stations will be installed ; 
also all necessary bench marks in connection there- 
with. 

Armor and Similar Protection. The hull is pro- 
tected at the water-line by a complete belt of armor 
nine feet, three inches wide, having a uniform thick- 
ness of nine inches for about 287 feet amidships, 
gradually decreased to four inches at the stem and 
stern. 

The lower casemate armor extends to abreast the 
twelve-inch barbettes and reaches from the top of 
the water-line belt to the lower edge of the seven- 
inch-gun ports on the gun deck and is seven inches 
in thickness, the athwartship bulkheads at the ends 
of this casemate being seven inches thick. 

The casemate armor around the seven-inch guns 
on the gun deck is seven inches thick and the splin- 
ter bulkheads are from one to two inches thick. 
The protection of three-inch guns is nickel steel, 
two inches thick. 

The upper and lower casemate athwartship ar- 
mor, extending from the shell plating to the twelve- 
inch barbettes, is to be seven inches thick through- 
out. 

The twelve-inch barbettes extend from the pro- 
tective deck to about four feet above the main 
deck and consist of eleven inches of armor in front j 



Official Description of a Battleship 89 

and in the rear, seven and a half inches above the 
gun deck and six inches between the berth and gun 
decks. 

The twelve-inch turrets will have a front plate 
twelve inches thick, rear and side plates eight inches 
thick, and top plates two and a half inches thick. 

The eight-inch barbettes will be six inches thick 
in front and four inches thick in rear, with the 
upper tube three and three quarter inches thick and 
the lower tube three inches thick. 

The eight-inch turret front plate will be six and 
a half inches thick, the rear and side plates six 
inches, and the top plates two inches thick. 

The conning tower will be nine inches thick; 
door, six inches thick; signal tower, six inches 
thick. An armor tube thirty-six inches in diame- 
ter will extend from the base of the conning tower 
to the protective deck and will be six inches thick 
throughout. 

One torpedo-directing station, five inches thick, 
, will be fitted near the conning tower. The direct- 
ing station for after torpedo tubes will be located 
in the signal tower. 

Teak backing of a minimum thickness of three 
inches will be fitted behind all side and twelve-inch 
turret armor, two inches of backing to be fitted 
behind the eight-inch turret armor; other armor 
will be fitted without backing. 



90 The American Battleship in Commission 

Protective Deck. There is a complete protective 
deck extending from stem to stern, the deck being 
flat amidships, but sloped at the sides throughout 
and sloped at each end. It will be built up of 
twenty-pound plating throughout, with nickel steel 
of forty pounds on the flat, except it will be eighty 
pounds forward and abaft twelve-inch barbettes 
over magazines and of ioo pounds on the slopes. 

Nickel-steel Protection. The following nickel steel 
is to be furnished and fitted: 

Upper strakes of protective deck plating, as in- 
dicated above ; hatch covers and gratings in the 
protective deck ; splinter bulkheads on gun deck ; 
sponsons and wing plates for two forward three- 
inch guns and for four after three-inch guns on gun 
deck ; bullet shields between wing plates for seven- 
inch guns; side protection and wing plates for 
three-inch guns on main deck ; turret shelf plates ; 
conning tower base plates; seven-inch gun-port 
sill plates ; eighty-pound protection on ammunition 
hoist trunks not otherwise protected by armor; 
and eighty-pound protection on coaling trunks on 
slope of protective deck to the height of berth 
deck amidships. 

Ammunition. The magazines and shell rooms are 
so arranged that about one-half of the total supply 



Official Description of a Battleship 91 

of ammunition will be carried at each end of the 
ship. 

Magazine bulkheads adjacent to heated compart- 
ments, such as fire rooms, engine rooms, and dy- 
namo rooms, are arranged with ventilated air 
spaces. 

Ammunition Supply. The ammunition for seven- 
inch and smaller guns will be conveyed by hoists 
directly from the ammunition rooms or ammunition 
passages to the deck on which it is required, or as 
near that as possible. These hoists will be driven 
at constant speed by an electric motor, and will be 
arranged to deliver not less than eight pieces per 
hoist per minute. 

The number of hoists will be as follows : Twelve 
seven-inch, fourteen hoists for three-inch, three- 
pounder and one-pounder combined, and sufficient 
whip hoists to the top. To supply the seven-inch 
hoists, four horizontal ammunition conveyers, 
operated by electric motors, will be fitted in the 
ammunition passages for the transfer of ammunition 
from the handling rooms to the base of the hoists. 

The turret guns will have regular turret ammuni- 
tion hoists, operated by electric power ; these hoists 
leading directly from the handling rooms or the 
ammunition passages to the turrets. The handling 
rooms will be isolated from the turrets. The turret 



92 The American Battleship in Commission 

ammunition hoist motors and controlling appliances 
will be installed, under the specifications of the 
Bureau of Ordnance. 

For transporting twelve-inch, eight-inch, and 
seven-inch ammunition, torpedoes and warheads, 
trolleys and tracks will be fitted in the handling 
rooms, passages, and shell rooms. 

Propelling Machinery. The engines will be of the 
vertical, twin-screw, four-cylinder, triple-expansion 
type, of a combined indicated horse-power of 16,- 
500, and arranged for outboard turning propellers 
when going ahead. The steam pressure will be 250 
pounds. The stroke will be four feet. The cyl- 
inder diameters will be sufficient for the required in- 
dicated horse-power at about 120 revolutions per 
minute. Each engine will be located in a separate 
water-tight compartment. They will be provided 
with all the necessary auxiliaries and accessories in 
accordance with the latest practice of the Bureau of 
Steam Engineering. 

There will be twelve water-tube boilers, placed 
in six water-tight compartments. The type of 
boiler will be as approved by the Bureau of Steam 
Engineering. There will be not less than 1,100 
square feet of grate and not less than 46,750 square 
feet of water-heating surface. The working pres- 
sure will be 265 pounds. The length of grates 



Official Description of a Battleship 93 

will be about six feet, nine inches. The steaming 
capacity will be such that all steam machinery on 
board can be run at full power with an average air 
pressure on the fire rooms of not more than two 
inches of water. 

All the necessary auxiliaries and accessories will 
be provided for the efficient working of the boilers. 

There will be three smoke pipes, each 100 feet 
high above the base line. 

Sixty-six tons of fresh water will be carried on 
trial in the double bottom or in reserve tanks for 
the use of the water-tube boilers. 

Auxiliary Steam Machinery. The following 
auxiliary steam machinery of approved make and 
design, in addition to that pertaining to the main 
engines and dependencies, is to be installed com- 
plete. 

Steering engine, windlass engine, ash-hoist en- 
gines for each fire room, forced-draft blowers, evap- 
orating plant, to consist of not less than three 
units, having a total capacity of 16,500 gallons of 
fresh water per day, a distilling apparatus capable 
of condensing at least 16,500 gallons of water per 
day. 

The vessel is to be heated with steam throughout. 

The weight of all machinery and tools, stores 
and spare parts will be about 1,500 tons. This 



94 The American Battleship in Commission 

weight must include all articles, except stores sup- 
plied by the Government, irrespective of name or 
use, coming under the cognizance of the Bureau of 
Steam Engineering, including water in boilers, con- 
densers, piping, etc., but excluding the reserve 
feed water in the double bottom or tanks. 

Electric Generating Plant and Equipment Require, 
ments. The vessel shall be lighted throughout by 
electricity. The electric plant will be of not less 
than 8oo-kilowatt capacity (no units to be less 
than ioo-kilowatt capacity), driven either by recip- 
rocating engines or turbines, all generators to be of 
125 volts pressure at the terminals and disposed in 
two separate and independent dynamo rooms. 

There will be fitted all the usual means of interior 
communications, such as telephones, voice pipes, 
call bells, buzzers, gongs, annunciators, engine and 
steering telegraphs, revolution and rudder indica- 
tors, heeling indicators, fire alarms, warning signals, 
alarm signals, turret hoist indicators, electric log, 
etc. 

Electric Auxiliaries. With the exception of the 
auxiliaries previously mentioned to be operated by 
steam, all power on board of the vessel will be elec- 
tric, as, for instance, the refrigerating plant with a 
cooling effect of four tons of ice per twenty-four 



Official Description of a Battleship 95 

hours, boat cranes, deck winches, turret-turning 
motors, ventilation blower motors, etc. 

All main compartments of the ship below the 
gun deck, except the coal bunkers, will be provided 
with forced ventilation, there being not less than 
twenty-six blowers, with a combined capacity of 
not less than 100,000 cubic feet per minute. 
Special attention will be given to spaces subject to 
habitually high temperatures, such as engine rooms, 
fire rooms and dynamo rooms. The ventilation 
system will be designed to cut the minimum num- 
ber of water-tight bulkheads. All blowers, except 
forced-draft blowers, will be electrically operated. 

The coal bunkers will be arranged with satisfac- 
tory reference to the rapid and efficient supply of 
coal to the fire rooms, and have a maximum capac- 
ity of about 2,314 tons. There will be provided 
for coaling not less than six winches, twelve booms, 
and all necessary fixed chutes, scuttles, hatches, 
and other openings. 

There will be two bill-boards and two hawse 
pipes, each hawse pipe to be so designed that 
stockless anchors may be stowed in it. There will 
be three heavy anchors, one of navy type and two 
of stockless type, and the usual small ones. An- 
chor windlass, with vertical spindle, wildcats, an- 
chor davits, securing and tripping gear, controllers, 



96 The American Battleship in Commission 

ring bolts, riding bitts, cleats, pad eyes, and other 
fittings, will be provided. 

The following boats supplied by the Government 
will be carried, adequate provision being made for 
their convenient stowage and handling ; two elec- 
trically operated boat cranes, the necessary boat 
davits, adjustable boat chocks, and all necessary 
fittings being provided for this purpose: 

One 50-foot steam cutter. 
Two 36-foot steam cutters. 
One 36-foot launch. 
Three 33-foot launches. 
Five 30-foot cutters. 
Two 30-foot whaleboats. 
One 30-foot gig whaleboat. 
One 30-foot barge. 
Two 20-foot dinghies. 
One 16-foot dinghy. 
One 14-foot dinghy. 
Two life rafts. 

The vessel is designed as a flagship, and the 
arrangement of quarters provides ample accommo- 
dations for the following complement, viz. : 

A flag officer. 

A chief of staff. 

A commanding officer. 



Official Description of a Battleship 97 

Nineteen wardroom officers. 

Ten junior officers. 

Nine warrant officers. 

Not less than 840 men, including 72 marines. 

Provision will be made for carrying not less than 
three months' allowance of provisions and six 
months' allowance of clothing and small stores. 

A complete drainage and flooding system will be 
provided. 

Plumbing fixtures will be in accordance with the 
latest approved practice for all bathrooms, lavato- 
ries, and other spaces. 

There will be a lower bridge both forward and 
aft and a flying bridge forward, according to the 
latest practice. On the flying bridge will be fitted 
a screen of brass. There will also be a brass chart 
house and emergency cabin suitably located. 

There will be steel masts forward and aft, the 
foremast having an upper and lower top, the main- 
mast a lower top only. Masts to be arranged for 
wireless telegraphy. There will be one signal yard 
on each mast, also a searchlight platform forward 
and aft, with a lookout platform on foremast. 

There will be approximately eighteen sliding 
water-tight doors and six armor hatches which will 
be worked on an approval system by power. All 
other doors and hatches throughout the vessel, as 



98 The American Battleship in Commission 

well as all fittings which can be satisfactorily stand- 
ardized, will be strictly in accordance with standard 
plans which have been or may be adopted by the 
Department. 

The following is the summary of weights to be 
carried on trial : 

Tons 

Guns, mounts, magazine equipments, etc 1063 

Ammunition, two-thirds cruising supply 405 

Steam engineering complete, with water in boilers, 
condensers, piping, etc., and stores, etc., ex- 
cept stores supplied by the Government, not 

to exceed 1500 

Engineering stores supplied by the Government, 

two-thirds full supply 26 

Reserve fresh water for steaming purposes 66 

Coal, normal supply 900 

Boats and outfits 51 

Masts and spars 31 

Equipment complete, including anchors, chains, 

electric plant, etc., and equipment stores. ... 355 
Miscellaneous stores and water, two-thirds full 

supply 83 

Provisions, clothing, and small stores, two-thirds 

full supply 147 

Officers, crew, and effects 113 

Total protection, including armor, armor backing, 

armor bolts, and splinter bulkheads 39 1 9 



Ordnance 99 



ORDNANCE 

The armor and armament, with their many acces- 
sories, constitute the main fighting strength of the 
ship. All of Uncle Sam's late warships, built and 
building, have these important accessories; there- 
fore they will be considered modern for many years 
to come. 

The Oregon and her sister ships, the Indiana and 
Massachusetts, represent our first lot of first-class 
battleships; these ships were commissioned two 
years previous to the Spanish-American war. The 
Oregon has won the Gunnery Trophy twice in suc- 
cession, and to win this much coveted prize, she 
competed with all the large type of ships in the 
navy. This demonstrates the fact that our oldest 
battleships are yet quite modern in many respects. 

When a new type of gun or projectile is invented, 
the Navy Department tests the merits of each and 
should the results prove satisfactory, the gun or 
other improvement is placed in use. The Gov- 
ernment never jumps at conclusions, for all im- 
provements are adopted after a long period of tests 
and experiments. In this manner our warships are 
kept up to the highest standard of efficiency. 

After the ship is launched the armor is set in 
place. In some cases, however, the builders may 



ioo The American Battleship in Commission 

install a portion of the armor before launching. 
On the sides of the ship, a few feet below the water- 
line, is a shelf-like arrangement on which the armor 
rests as it is bolted to the sides. This armor is 
very costly and is made by various processes, some 
of which are secret. 

All armor is subjected to a rigid test. When one 
lot of armor is made, certain pieces are selected 
from it and sent to the proving grounds where it is 
set up for the large caliber guns to fire at. Should 
the armor fail to stand the various tests, the entire 
lot is condemned. The manufacturers know from 
the blue prints the exact size and shape of each 
section of armor, also where all bolt holes, etc., 
should be. 

In making armor, a batch of metal is smelted in 
the furnace and when ready, the molten metal is 
poured into a mold which forms the armor ingot. 
After forming, the ingot is taken to a huge heating 
furnace where it is heated and brought to a forging 
press where it is soon worked down to the size de- 
sired. After forging, the plate is face-hardened by 
different processes. 

When the armor plate is trimmed, tempered, and 
all machine work completed, it is taken to a power- 
ful hydraulic press which soon forms the plate into 
any shape desired. When the armor has been 
completed and tested it is then forwarded to the 



Main Guns 101 

ship designated where the ship's builders secure it 
in position. All bolt holes and other machine 
work on the plate must be accurate, as all joints fit 
snugly. The thickness and quality of armor vary 
according to the type of ship. Armor is made to 
prevent shells from injuring the ship, and the object 
in face-hardening the armor is to try to give it the 
resisting power necessary to deflect or break up all 
shells which may strike it. Only the outer side of 
the armor is face-hardened which varies in resisting 
power according to the process to which the plate 
is subjected. The conning tower, military masts, 
sighting hoods, ammunition tubes, protective deck 
and other parts of the ship are also well armored 
in proportion. 

MAIN GUNS 

The guns of a battleship could be divided into 
three classes: Main, intermediate, and secondary 
battery guns. The main battery consists of eight-, 
ten-, twelve-, or thirteen-inch guns. All main bat- 
tery guns installed aboard a warship are mounted 
in pairs, in turrets. The barbette, which is similar 
to a circular fort, extends up from the handling 
room to a few feet above the main deck. On top 
of the barbette is a series of rollers on which the 
turret revolves ; the two gun mounts and loading 
mechanism, revolving as one. 



102 The American Battleship in Commission 

Our late type of ships has counterbalanced tur- 
rets; weights of armor, gun mounts, etc., are so 
adjusted that the ship will not list were the main 
guns trained to one side. Training the main guns 
to either port or starboard, with the old-style tur- 
rets, would give the ship a heavy list accordingly, 
thus exposing the lower part of the armor belt to 
the fire of the enemy. 

Located at the bottom of the turret is the hand- 
ling room, where the ammunition is trolleyed from 
the magazines to the ammunition car which brings 
the ammunition directly in front of the breech end 
of the gun. 

The guns are mounted in such a manner that 
they will withstand the terrific strain imposed upon 
them and their accessories when fired. The gun 
trunnions (cylindrical projections on each side of a 
gun which support it on the gun carriage, thus 
allowing the gun to be elevated or depressed) rest 
on the saddle, the saddle rests on the slides and is 
held in place with large steel straps and clips. 
Attached to the outer end of the saddle are two 
large pistons which lead into the recoil cylinders. 

There are two types of recoil cylinders; one 
type is filled with recoil liquid and contains recoil 
springs ; the other is worked by hydraulic power. 
In hydraulic power turrets similar to the Oregon 
type, the recoil cylinders contain a water pressure 




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a 

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Main Guns 103 

of about six hundred pounds to the square inch 
which is supplied by huge hydraulic pumps located 
below the water-line. When the guns are in action 
(both guns in a single turret are used individually, 
as each has its own loading mechanism) these 
pumps are continually going in order to retain pres- 
sure for the recoil cylinders and rammers. 

The supply pipes from the pumps are connected 
at the back end of the recoil cylinders and are 
equipped with check valves. The front end of the 
recoil cylinders contains a series of relief valves set 
at a high pressure. The instant the gun is fired 
the check valves in the supply pipes close ; were 
these valves to fail in performing their functions, 
the pipes and pumps would burst from the sudden 
pressure created. 

The interior walls of the recoil cylinders contain 
a series of grooves. The pistons, upon entering 
the recoil cylinders, force the water past these 
grooves, gradually checking the recoil. There is 
no escape for the water displaced by the pistons 
entering the cylinders except through the relief 
valves which are forced open by the enormous 
pressure created. There are several sets of relief 
valves set at various pressures ; should one set fail 
to work, the other would, thus relieving the terrific 
strain. 

When the gun ceases recoiling, the relief valves 



104 The American Battleship in Commission 

close and the check valves in the supply pipes open, 
and the pressure formed against the back of the 
piston heads quickly forces the gun out to battery 
(loading position). Fresh water is used by the hy- 
draulic pumps ; the water escaping from the recoil 
cylinders is piped back to the fresh-water tanks 
where it is repumped. 

Officers are stationed in the fighting tops to as- 
certain the range which is signaled down to the 
men in the turrets. In action, the results of the 
firing can be better judged when taking observa- 
tions from an elevated position. The range contin- 
ually varies when in battle, for the opposing fleets 
are constantly maneuvering to gain a more advanta- 
geous position. 

CREW OF A LARGE GUN 

Several hundred men are concerned directly and 
indirectly, in operating the big guns. Coalpassers 
trolley the coal to the firemen ; the firemen keep 
steam in the boilers with which to operate the ma- 
chinery of the ship ; thus the division of labor con- 
tinues along the line until we come to the gun's 
crew proper. 

A large number of men are required to handle 
the guns and ammunition. Extra men must also 
be available, for during battle many may be put out 



Crew of a Large Gun 105 

of action. The following will give a fair idea of the 
duties performed by a large gun's crew : 

Turret Officer has complete charge of the turret 
and gives all orders necessary. The turret contains 
speaking tubes which enable the turret officer to be 
kept fully informed regarding the movements of 
the enemy and how the shots are striking. 

Turret Captain is next in command after the tur- 
ret officer. Should any accident befall the turret 
officer, the turret captain then takes charge. 

Trainers keep the gun trained toward the target 
while it is being loaded and fired. When fired it is 
placed in loading position ; upon being reloaded the 
gun is quickly sighted on the mark. 

Gunpointer sights and fires the gun with the as- 
sistance of the trainers. Much responsibility rests 
upon the gunpointer, for while the gun is being 
sighted the firing lanyard is in his hand. Upon 
sighting the gun properly the gunpointer fires it. 
A percussion or electric primer is used for igniting 
the powder charge. 

Gunner s Mate is in charge of the handling room 
where all ammunition is loaded into the ammuni- 



io6 The American Battleship in Commission 

tion car, which brings the ammunition directly in 
front of the breech of the gun when needed. 

Rammer Man operates the rammer which rams 
the shell home. The rammer forces the shell off 
the ammunition car into the breech of the gun. 
All rammers and training of turrets are operated by 
hydraulic or electrical power. It is quite dangerous 
to use steam power owing to the heat created. 

Powder Men take the powder from the ammuni- 
tion car when it arrives at the loading platform. 
This powder is put up in bags and when the rammer 
recoils home it is quickly put into the powder 
chamber. 

Plug Man operates the breech-plug mechanism. 
When the gun is loaded the plug man quickly 
closes the breech-plug; this movement locks it into 
position and the gun is then ready for firing. 

Sight Setter adjusts the sights when ordered by 
the turret officer. He also watches the sights to 
ascertain whether they have become deranged from 
the concussion. 

Handling Room Crew work in the handling room, 
where all ammunition is trolleyed from the magazines 



Intermediate and Secondary Battery Guns 1 07 

to the ammunition car. A large number of men 
are also detailed to work in the magazines. 

INTERMEDIATE AND SECONDARY BAT- 
TERY GUNS 

Four-, five-, six-, and seven-inch guns are in- 
stalled in the intermediate battery and they repre- 
sent the broadside guns of the ship. Some ships 
are equipped with five-inch guns in the intermediate 
battery, while others may be equipped with guns 
of a larger caliber. 

The guns are mounted on a permanent pedestal 
mount and they recoil on about the same principle 
as the hydraulic power guns, excepting that the 
recoil cylinders of all guns of the intermediate 
battery are filled with recoil liquid, consisting of 
glycerine and water. The back end of these recoil 
cylinders contains powerful steel springs. When 
the recoil pistons meet these springs, they take up 
the last of the recoil and quickly force the gun out 
to battery. On the larger caliber guns, counter re- 
coil springs are used which take up the jar as the 
guns return to battery. 

The intermediate guns are operated by hand and 
are easily manipulated, for the gun and its mecha- 
nism revolve on top of a series of small rollers, 
while other parts are connected with cogs or worm- 
gear. These guns are fired with greater rapidity 



io8 The American Battleship in Commission 

than the main guns on account of the fixed or 
semi-fixed ammunition used. When the gun is 
fired the gunpointers and trainers keep it trained 
and sighted on the mark while the loading process 
is going on. Ammunition hoists are placed con- 
veniently at hand to supply the guns with the nec- 
essary ammunition. 

Many of our new type of battleships are equipped 
with a broadside of twelve seven-inch guns, which 
are independent of the main guns ; the main guns 
consisting of four twelve-inch, and eight eight-inch 
guns. 

The guns of the intermediate battery are well 
protected by the casemates or side armor which 
extend above the main armor belt. 

The intermediate and main battery guns are 
sighted with telescopic sights, the outer end of 
which contains cross wires. When the gunpointer 
has the cross wires on the mark he fires the gun. 
The secondary battery guns are equipped with bar 
sights. 

Secondary battery guns vary in caliber from 
three-inch down to the smaller caliber machine 
guns. One-, three-, six-, and fourteen-pounders 
(a fourteen-pounder and a three-inch gun are prac- 
tically the same) constitute the secondary bat- 
tery, and are of great value in repelling torpedo 
boat attacks, bombarding at close range, etc. 



How a Large Gun is Made 109 

These guns work automatically or semi-automatic- 
ally. When a semi-automatic gun is fired the 
concussion from each shot is utilized to eject the 
empty cartridge case. All ammunition used by 
the secondary battery is known as fixed ammuni- 
tion ; the powder and shell are made up in a single 
cartridge case similar to rifle ammunition. 

A machine gun has more than one barrel, each 
barrel firing individually. By turning a crank or 
lever the gun will fire several hundred rounds per 
minute, while the ammunition holds out. The 
ammunition is supplied from a belt, or drum. By 
using fixed ammunition the hail of fire is terrific. 

Semi-fixed ammunition is in two parts ; the shell 
is first loaded into the breech of the gun and the 
powder charge which is made up in a heavy metallic 
case is inserted behind the projectile. 

Each ship carries two three-inch field pieces 
which are mounted on a wheeled truck. These 
guns, with the machine and automatic guns, are 
taken ashore with the battalion. A small army of 
men could be held at bay with these guns. 

HOW A LARGE GUN IS MADE 

The guns installed aboard a warship are so con- 
structed and mounted that, should an accident occur 
to the gun, it could be easily replaced with a new 
one. 



1 10 The American Battleship in Commission 

The labor, patience and experience involved in 
the manufacture of a large gun are enormous. In 
making a large gun, the gun metal is smelted in a 
huge ladle and then poured into a mold and when 
the mold is filled the top is securely closed. At 
the bottom of the mold are hydraulic rams which 
exert a great pressure on the molten mass and 
cause it to form compactly, besides forcing clear 
all air holes. 

When the metal has become cool, it is removed 
from the mold and the ingot is roughly bored. 
After boring, the tube is heated in a furnace and 
forged out on a mandrel, and is then put through 
several processes of tempering. The tube is now 
set up in a huge lathe where the outside is turned 
down to the size desired. This tube is quite thick 
at the breech end and gradually tapers toward the 
muzzle. 

Large steel jackets and hoops which are slightly 
smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the 
gun, are heated in a furnace in order to expand 
them, and are dropped over the gun while hot ; 
upon cooling they contract, thus greatly reenforcing 
the gun. After the jackets and hoops have been 
assembled, the tube is again set up in the lathe and 
rebored to the size desired. During these various 
operations the gun is carefully examined to detect 
any flaws. 




he 

3 
O 
u, 

bio 

i 



How a Large Gun is Made m 

When the gun is rebored it is set in a rifling ma- 
chine which cuts a series of riflings in the bore. 
These riflings commence at the inner end of the 
powder chamber and extend throughout the bore 
of the gun. The riflings give the projectile a ro- 
tary motion, which causes it to speed true on its 
course and prevents it from tumbling or sagging. 
A groove is cut in the shell to which the rotary 
band is secured. This band is made of copper and 
is slightly larger than the bore of the gun, and 
when the shell is rammed home the band strikes 
against the rifling. 

At the breech all necessary slots and screw holes 
are made. The breech-plug mechanism of a large 
gun appears to be a complicated affair, yet it is 
quite simple. By operating a single lever the 
breech-plug unlocks itself and swings open. This 
breech-plug contains a series of slots; when the 
plug revolves a certain distance it is then unlocked 
which allows it to swing open. Upon closing the 
breech-plug these movements are reversed. 

When the gun is completed it is sent to the 
proving ground at Indian Head, Md., where it is 
severely tested. After the gun has passed the va- 
rious tests, it is either sent to the ship designated or 
kept in stock until needed. 

Previously, the Government manufactured its own 
guns, but of late many contracts have been let out 



1 1 2 The American Battleship in Commission 

to private firms. This has established many gun 
factories throughout the country, which will be of 
great value in time of war. 

AMMUNITION 

Smokeless powder is now used throughout the 
navy. This powder is of great strength, for an 
ordinary smokeless powder charge of a modern gun 
requires a much smaller amount than the old kind. 
When a gun was fired with the old-style powder, 
the ship became enveloped in a cloud of smoke, 
and should there be no breeze at the time, the 
smoke would hover about the ship and interfere 
with the firing until it had cleared away. This 
difficulty has been remedied, however, by the use of 
smokeless powder. 

Three different types of shell are used ; armor 
piercing, shrapnel and common. These shells are 
formed in a mold and forged down to the required 
size. After forging, the shell is trimmed on the 
lathe, interior hollowed out, and all other necessary 
machine work is completed. 

Armor piercing shell are especially hardened at 
the nose to enable them to penetrate the armor of a 
ship. Secured at the nose of the shell is a lubrica- 
ting cap filled with a soft metal which acts as a lu- 
bricant and assists the shell to penetrate the armor 
more easily. Many armor piercing shells contain a 



Ammunition 1 1 3 

bursting charge which explodes similar to common 
shells. 

Common shells are made on about the same 
principle as armor piercing shells. The common 
shell, however, contains a larger bursting charge. 
Many shells are equipped with time fuses. By 
knowing the range, resistance of shell leaving the 
gun, strength and weight of powder charge, the 
time occupied by the shell in reaching the mark can 
be easily figured. The time fuse is set accordingly, 
allowance being made for the shell to penetrate be- 
fore exploding. 

Shrapnel shell has a large cavity bored out of its 
interior. This space is filled with many small metal 
balls and among these balls is a small charge of 
powder. The time fuse can be set so that the shell 
will explode as it is about to strike the mark, and 
the momentum of the burst shell will cause the 
fragments and small balls to be hurled in many di- 
rections, thus causing great destruction. The 
larger size shell is equipped with a base fuse which 
is set in the center of the bottom of the shell. 
Upon impact, a plunger springs forward and ex- 
plodes the primer, which in turn ignites the powder 
charge contained within the shell. 

All ammunition is carefully stowed in the maga- 
zines. The powder charges for the larger caliber 
guns are put up in copper tanks or tubes, each con- 



1 14 The American Battleship in Commission 

taining one charge. This powder is made up in 
sections which fit snugly into the powder chamber 
of the gun. At the base of each section is a small 
amount of black powder which causes the smokeless 
powder to ignite more freely when the gun is fired. 
Each powder charge is indexed, showing the 
strength, and date of manufacture. 

The shells are stowed in the shell rooms. All 
powder charges and shells are piled in racks or bins 
and are well secured to prevent them from breaking 
adrift when the ship is at sea. The magazines are 
kept well ventilated, and in case of fire they are 
quickly flooded, as each contains one or more 
flood cocks connected with the sea. These flood 
cocks are operated from the upper decks and upon 
being opened they let in a great volume of water. 

The ammunition for the smaller caliber guns of 
the intermediate and secondary batteries is stowed 
in separate magazines. All guns of these two bat- 
teries, from five-inch to the automatic guns, use 
fixed ammunition which is stowed in boxes con- 
taining one or more rounds according to the caliber 
of the gun. Much care and precaution is taken 
with the magazines at all times. Should one ex- 
plode great destruction would follow. 

The following table gives the weight of project- 
iles used in the navy. It was the author's inten- 
tion to also include the weight of powder charge 



Ammunition 



ii5 



used in firing each projectile. The data, however, 
would be unreliable owing to the fact that the 
weight of powder charges is being constantly altered. 
This is quite necessary to increase the velocity of the 
shell. 



WEIGHT OF PROJECTILES 



i-pounder g 

3-pounder 

6-pounder 

3-inch 

4-inch 

5-inch 

6-inch 

7-inch 

8-inch 
10-inch 
12-inch 
13-inch 



un 



ell 1 


lb. 


3 


lb. 


6 1b 


14 


lb 


33 


lb. 


5° 


lb. 


' 100 


lb 


165 


lb. 


' 250 


lb 


500 


lb 


' 850 


lb. 


' 1 100 


lb. 



SHELL MEASURE 

2 thirteen-inch 1 long ton 

12 seven-inch 1 short ton 

8 eight-inch 1 ton 

2 ten-inch 

1 six-inch 

% five-inch 

1 one-pounder ...,..,...,,,,... 1 lb. 



, -|- ton 
1 cwt. 
fcwt 



n6 The American Battleship in Commission 

TORPEDOES 

A large fleet of torpedo boats is maintained to 
fight with this deadly weapon — the torpedo. In 
addition to this craft, the majority of our battle- 
ships and cruisers are equipped with torpedo tubes 
and the necessary apparatus required for torpedo 
work. 

Torpedoes are fired from a tube. There are 
three general designs of tubes used ; one is sub- 
merged (or below the water-line), one a lower deck 
tube and is just above the water-line, and a third 
an upper deck tube used on the upper deck of tor- 
pedo boats. All of these tubes may be fired (dis- 
charged) by powder or compressed air, as may be 
desired. When the torpedo is locked in the tube 
and charged with the necessary pressure of com- 
pressed air it is ready for firing. 

The Whitehead torpedo has been the type in use 
for several years. The Navy Department has re- 
cently adopted a new type known as the Bliss- 
Leavitt turbine torpedo. The power of this torpedo 
is much greater than that of the Whitehead type. 
While the Whitehead is capable of making twenty- 
eight knots speed at a 900-yard range, and twenty- 
two knots at 1500 yards, the new turbine torpedo 
makes a guaranteed speed of thirty-six knots at a 
1200-yard range, and twenty-eight knots at 3500 
yards. 



Torpedoes 1 1 7 

The turbine type is well adapted for use in sub- 
merged torpedo tubes. This type of tube is much 
safer than the old-style tube that was located above 
the water-line. The submerged type is below the 
water-line, which protects the torpedo room from 
the fire of the enemy. There are two sizes of tor- 
pedoes, eighteen-inch and twenty-one-inch. It is 
claimed that the eighteen-inch torpedo costs $5000, 
while the twenty-one-inch one costs a proportionate 
amount greater. This sum is really insignificant 
when one considers the loss of a battleship costing 
from five to ten million dollars. A few successful 
torpedo attacks on a fleet of warships would soon 
decide the result of a naval engagement. 

A torpedo is divided into three main sections ; 
the forward (front) end is known as the warhead, 
and contains 132 pounds of guncotton ; the amid- 
ship (center) section is known as the air chamber, 
into which the compressed air is forced ; the after 
(rear) end contains the turbine engine which oper- 
jates the propellers. Two propellers are used which 
■ revolve in opposite directions at a high rate of 
speed. Located in these three main sections are 
other minor compartments, which contain the various 
devices which guide and regulate the torpedo after 
it is fired from the ship. 

The torpedo contains horizontal and vertical rud- 
ders which are so regulated by sensitive devices 



1 1 8 The American Battleship in Commission 

that they will cause the torpedo to travel true and 
keep it submerged the desired depth. So sensitive 
is this steering and depth regulating apparatus, that 
even though there were heavy swells running at the 
time the torpedo was fired, the torpedo would rise 
and fall in proportion with the swell above. The 
depth of submersion is about eight feet which is 
sufficient, since it is only intended to strike the 
enemy below the armor belt. 

Torpedo practice is held frequently. One form of 
torpedo practice is with a floating target which is 
towed full speed past the ship, the ship speeding 
twelve knots or more in the opposite direction. In 
firing torpedoes from a battleship the methods vary. 
The range between the ship and the target is regu- 
lated according to the form of torpedo practice. 

The torpedo is charged with 2225 pounds pres- 
sure of air which is furnished by powerful air com- 
pressors. The outer end of the tube moves in a 
hollow ball-joint; the inboard end travels over a 
circular track which is marked with a set of figures. 
When the torpedo is fired, the men stationed in the 
torpedo room are unable to see what they are firing 
at. The torpedo room is located behind the armor 
belt, in which there is an opening only large enough 
to permit the passage of the torpedo. 

The officer in charge of the torpedo firing ascer- 
tains the range of the target or enemy by means of 




r. 

U 



I 5, 



Torpedoes 119 

a sensitive instrument known as the torpedo director. 
The figures marked on the circular track over which 
the inner end of the torpedo tube passes, correspond 
with the figures of the torpedo director; by this 
means the tube is kept trained, since the figures are 
being constantly signaled to the men stationed in 
the torpedo room. 

As the target and ship are moving in opposite 
directions, the tube is kept trained on the mark un- 
til the torpedo is ejected from it, or the target is out 
of range. A sudden release of compressed air ejects 
the torpedo, and as it leaves the tube the machinery 
starts in motion. Located in the air chamber is a 
large alcohol lamp which is lighted automatically as 
the torpedo leaves the tube. This lamp heats the 
compressed air in the air chamber, giving it greater 
expansive power. 

An automatic stop can be so regulated that the 
torpedo will stop itself after traveling a certain dis- 
tance. In time of war the torpedo can also be reg- 
ulated so that in case it failed to strike the enemy it 
would sink to the bottom of the sea. A floating 
torpedo with a warhead attached is a menace to nav- 
igation. A drillhead is used in time of peace which 
is of the same size and weight as the warhead. 

To prevent premature explosion another ingenious 
device is used. Located at the nose of the warhead 
is a miniature propeller, which is made to revolve by 



1 20 The American Battleship in Commission 

the friction of the water as the torpedo speeds 
through it, and a small shaft is connected with this 
propeller which unscrews a locking nut ; the torpedo 
will not explode until the locking nut works clear. 
This device allows the torpedo to get clear of the 
vessel firing it. 

The majority of the enlisted men detailed for tor- 
pedo work are gunner's mates, who are graduates 
from the Gunnery School, where torpedo work is 
made a special study. 



CHAPTER V 

NOMENCLATURE OF THE SHIP — DRAINAGE SYSTEM — 

VENTILATION SYSTEM FRESH AND SALT WATER 

SYSTEMS — DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES 

VESSELS — BATTLESHIPS BUILT — ARMORED 

CRUISERS BUILT — MONITORS BUILT 

PROTECTED CRUISERS BUILT HOW 

THE NAVY HAS GROWN IN 
FOURTEEN YEARS. 

NOMENCLATURE OF THE SHIP 

MILITARY Mast is the name given to the 
steel masts of the ship and they are armored 
at the base. The fighting tops are attached 
to these masts and are used mostly for observation 
and range finding. 

Cranes are used for hoisting and lowering boats, 
and have a large tapering arm which revolves. The 
cranes are also used for coaling ship, taking aboard 
stores, etc. They are operated by either electrical 
or steam power. 

Bridge. This is a long, narrow structure built up 
from the superstructure deck. The pilot-house, 



122 The American Battleship in Commission 

chart-house, steering-wheel, speaking tubes, speed 
annunciator, compass and signaling apparatus are 
located on the forward end of the bridge. 

Emergency Cabin. A small room located at the 
forward end of the bridge which is used by the cap- 
tain during a storm of long duration. In time of 
war, should an engagement be imminent, the captain 
would occupy the emergency cabin in order to be at 
hand. 

Signal Yard, Near the top of each military 
mast is a small signal yard used for hoisting signals 
from the bridge. Warships are equipped with 
either one or two military masts. 

Conning Tower is located directly under the for- 
ward end of the bridge and is made of heavy armor 
and contains many peep holes. The interior con- 
tains the necessary apparatus for navigating the 
ship. The conning tower is used only in time of 
action. 

Side Lights. When at sea a red light is displayed 
from the port side, and a green light from the star- 
board side of the ship. When two or more ships 
are in close proximity at night, these lights define 
the course each ship is steaming. 




x, 2 



Nomenclature of the Ship 123 

Superstructure Deck, This deck is built above 
the broad portion of the main deck. Hammock 
nettings, galley, and engine room hatches, ventila- 
tors, cranes and the main portion of the secondary 
battery are located on this deck. 

Main Deck. This deck extends from stem to 
stern. The forward end is known as the forecastle ; 
the after end as the quarter-deck. The main caliber 
guns are located on the center line of the main deck. 

Hawse Pipes. A heavy casting through which 
the anchor chain passes on its way to the sea. 

Bitt. A heavy piece of metal securely bolted to 
the deck. A bitt has two upright arms to which 
lines or cables are fastened. 

Sea Ladder. This consists of a series of small 
metal steps which are secured permanently against 
the ship's side. A portable ladder which can be 
folded up is known as a Jacob's ladder. 

Scuppers. Heavy pipes or tubes which drain the 
water from the waterways to the sea. The water- 
ways are channels on the outer edge of the deck 
which lead the water to the scuppers. 

Davits are heavy metal arms which extend over 



124 The American Battleship in Commission 

the side of the ship and are used for hoisting boats 
and stores. 



Tackle. A set of blocks and a rope used for 
hoisting purposes. The more sheaves in the blocks, 
the greater the power. 

Lower Booms are extended from the ship's sides. 
When the anchor is dropped these booms are rigged 
out and all boats in the water, not in use, are made 
fast to them. 

Air Ports. On the lower decks are many air 
ports used for ventilating and lighting purposes. 
They are made of heavy glass and can be opened or 
closed at will. 

Battle Ports are attached over the air ports, and 
are lowered and secured when the big guns are in 
action. 

Grappling. A small anchor with several claws 
which is used by the small boats. 

Harness Cask. An oval-shaped cask used for 
stowing salted meats. 

Scuttle Butt. A tank where the crew get their 



Nomenclature of the Ship 125 

drinking water. A cooling pipe, which is connected 
with the ice machine, is located inside the scuttle 
butt keeping the water cool at all times. 

Binnacle. A casing around the compass. On 
each side of the binnacle is a small lamp which 
lights the interior and enables one to read the com- 
pass card at night. 

Hatch Coamings. The parts of a hatch which ex- 
tend above the deck and prevent the water from 
getting below. A hatch is an opening in the decks 
used for traffic or cargo. 

Well. A certain part of the main compartments 
where all water gathers. A sounding tube leads to 
the upper deck, through which the sounding rod is 
lowered to ascertain whether the ship is leaking. 
The suction pipes from the pumps are also located 
in the well. 

Wildcat. A heavy slotted casting on the anchor 
engine into which the links of the anchor chain fit 
snugly as the anchor is being hoisted or dropped. 

Stopper. A heavy hook with a long shank, one 
end of which is hooked into a ring bolt and the 
balance lashed against the anchor chain, thus help- 
ing to secure it. 



126 The American Battleship in Commission 

The Lead is a heavy lead weight with a small line 
attached which has the fathoms marked on it. At 
the bottom of the lead is a hole filled with tallow 
to ascertain the nature of the bottom of the sea. 
Were the bottom muddy, mud would stick to the 
tallow. 

Armory. A room or compartment where cut- 
lases, rifles and pistols are stowed. A gunner's 
mate is in charge of the armory. 

Double Bottom. The ship has practically two 
bottoms which are independent of each other. The 
space between is called the double bottom. Fresh 
water can be carried in the double bottom if neces- 
sary. 

Trimming Tanks are located at the extreme ends 
of the ship. When the ship is about to be docked 
these tanks are sometimes filled with sea water in 
order to cause the ship to float level. 

Berth Deck. This deck extends the entire length 
of the ship and is used for living quarters. On 
this deck are many mess tables and hammock 
hooks. The berth deck is also known as the ar- 
mored or protective deck. 

Battle Hatches are made of heavy steel plates 



Nomenclature of the Ship 127 

which are set over the hatch coamings and securely 
fastened. Certain hatches are cut out of the ar- 
mored deck which are quite heavy and are operated 
by tackles or mechanical power. 

Orlop Deck is located below the berth deck. 
Ammunition hoists and the auxiliary magazines are 
located there. Ammunition hatches for the inter- 
mediate and secondary battery guns open on this 
deck. This deck is below the water-line and is 
well protected by the heavy side belts of armor and 
by the armored deck overhead. 

Bulkheads are steel walls dividing the ship into 
compartments and storerooms. All bulkhead doors 
and hatches fit snugly against a rubber gasket, 
making them absolutely water-tight. 

Main Engines are those used for propelling the 
ship. The general type of engine in use is the 
triple expansion upright type* 

Twin Screws pertain to a vessel with two screws 
or propellers. This type of ships has two sepa- 
rate engines which are located in water-tight com- 
partments below the water-line. All warships, 
with a few exceptions, are equipped with twin 
screws. 



128 The American Battleship in Commission 

Throttle Valve is the valve of a steam engine 
which regulates the amount of steam entering the 
steam chest. 



Reversing Engine is a small engine used to move 
the reversing links of the main engine into different 
positions. When the main engine is to be reversed 
the steam is shut off and the position of the revers- 
ing links changed. This alters the position of the 
cut-off in the steam chest which causes the engine 
to revolve in the opposite direction when the 
throttle valve is opened. 

Fire Rooms are located in separate compartments. 
The steam pipes from the main boilers connect with 
the main steam pipe which leads the steam to the 
main engines. 

Boilers of the ship are located well below the 
water-line. The old-style marine boilers contain 
many tubes through which the heat from the fires 
passes to heat the water. The new type is known 
as the water-tube boiler, for the water is inside the 
tubes ; thus steam is created more easily and is of a 
higher pressure. 

Main Shaft is made in sections with solid flanges 
securely bolted together. This shaft is connected 



Nomenclature of the Ship 129 

with the crank shaft of the main engine and ex- 
tends out through the stern of the ship. The last 
section, to which the propeller is attached, is 
known as the tail shaft. 

Thrust Bearing. The first section of the main 
shaft from the engine has several large collars which 
fit snugly into the thrust bearing, which prevent 
the shaft from working in or out while the engine 
is in motion. 

Jacking Engine is a small engine that can be con- 
nected to the main shaft by cog gear. When in 
port the jacking engine is used to turn over the 
main engine for repairs. 

Auxiliary Machinery includes the machinery of 
the ship such as evaporators, ice machines, winches, 
blower engines, and dynamo engines. When in 
port only one set of boilers is fired which supplies 
steam for the auxiliary machinery. 

Steering Engine Room is located at the after end 
of the ship well below the water-line. At sea a 
watch is stationed in the steering engine room and 
should anything go wrong it is immediately reported 
to the officer-of-the-deck. The steering engine is 
operated by moving the steering wheel on the 
bridge. 



1 30 The American Battleship in Commission 

Wardroom is located aft on the berth deck and 
is a spacious compartment where the senior officers 
dine. The admiral and captain also have their 
quarters located at the extreme after end of the 
berth deck. 

Chain Lockers are located directly under the an- 
chor engine. When the anchors are being hoisted 
men are stationed in the lockers to stow away the 
chain, and when they are to be dropped the men 
are ordered to keep clear of the chain lockers and 
anchor chains. 

Sand Locker is a compartment used for stowing 
sand. The wooden decks, gratings and boat gear 
are frequently scrubbed with sand and canvas. 

Cat-falls is a large set of tackle used to hoist and 
secure the anchors. Many ships use a patent an- 
chor, the stock of which is housed in the hawse 
pipe. 

Mooring Swivel. When both anchors are in use 
the anchor chains are secured to the mooring 
swivel, which prevents the chains from becoming 
entangled as the ship swings with the tide. 

Chain Plates are wide plates secured to the decks 



Nomenclature of the Ship 131 

where the anchor chains pass over, thus protecting 
the decks. The upper decks are of wood, which is 
bolted to the steel plating underneath. 

Turn Buckle is a metallic device with threads at 
both ends used to set taut cables and rods. 

Boatswain s Chair is a short board with a line 
fastened at the ends. This chair is used to hoist a 
person to overhaul the rigging. 

Palm is a leather band which fits over the palm 
of the hand and is used for sewing canvas. A 
small metal disc is secured to the center of this 
palm. The head of the sewing needle rests against 
the disc as the needle is forced through the canvas. 

Siren is one of the ship's steam whistles, and 
when blown it creates a screeching noise. 

Keelson is a heavy plating built over the ship's 
main keel on the inside of the ship's bottom, thus 
strengthening the keel and bottom of the ship. 

Uptake is a section of the boiler which leads the 
smoke to the smokestack. Many large ships have 
smokestacks one hundred feet in height from their 
base. 



132 The American Battleship in Commission 

Snatch Block is a block hinged on one side. 
This style of block saves much labor, for by open- 
ing the block any part of a rope can be set in. 
With the old-style block the rope's end had to be 
reeved through. 

Shackle is a link with two eyes at one end. A 
pin is inserted through these eyes, thus forming a 
link. Shackles are used to connect chains or 
cables. 

Sextant is an instrument used by the navigator 
to measure angular distances to ascertain the longi- 
tude and latitude. These define the exact location 
of a ship when at sea. 

Stud is a short brace in the center of each anchor- 
chain link and is used on large chains. The studs 
give the chain great strength. 

Swab consists of canvas threads secured to a han- 
dle and is used to mop or dry the decks. 

Figurehead is a design fastened to the stem of 
the ship. The styles of figureheads vary ; some 
consist of a shield, others of the seal of the State 
after which the ship is named. 

Stern Post is an upright piece of metal at the 



Drainage System i33 

stern of the ship. The rudder is hinged to the 
stern post. The extreme opposite end of the ship 
is known as the stem or bow. 

Frames are the steel frames which commence at 
the keel and curve upward to the extreme heights 
of the ship. At the different decks, deck beams 
cross athwartship and are well secured to the 
frames. 

Starboard. In facing toward the bow of the 
ship, the right-hand side is called the starboard ; 
the left-hand side is known as the port side. 
Amidship pertains to the middle section of the 
ship ; athwartship signifies across. 

DRAINAGE SYSTEM 

The ship is one mass of compartments and store- 
rooms. All minor compartments contain drains 
which lead the water to the main compartments 
where it can be pumped out, for the main compart- 
ments contain the suction pipes. When water is 
found in any compartment it is reported to the 
engine room and is then pumped out. When in 
tropical waters the ship's lower hull sweats consid- 
erably which causes water to form. In the engine 
and fire rooms are several large pumps with many 



134 The American Battleship in Commission 

suction pipes which lead to these various compart- 
ments. 

By opening the main sluice gates the water can 
be led to any compartment desired. The sluice 
gates and drain valves are operated from the en- 
closed decks, the stem of each being connected 
with a long shaft. All these valves are made of 
heavy brass and are tested regularly. A socket 
wrench fits over the shaft head, and a dial plate 
gives the position of the valve, whether open or 
shut. 

The hand pumps can also be connected for pump- 
ing out compartments. These pumps are operated 
by cog gear, and are manned by the crew. They 
can also be used for pumping sea water for fire 
extinguishing purposes. There are several hundred 
drains and sluice valves aboard ship, and to over- 
haul and test them requires several days* time. 

When the ship is being inspected by the admiral 
and his staff, every nook and corner is thoroughly 
examined and a report is forwarded to the Navy 
Department. 

VENTILATION SYSTEM 

This system is so perfect that all compartments, 
storerooms and magazines are kept cool and com- 
fortable at all times. In certain parts of the ship 




Ct = 



Ventilation System 135 

two systems are used ; one supplies fresh air and 
the other takes away the foul air. 

Located in different parts of the ship are large 
blowers which are operated by steam or electrical 
power, each blower supplying certain sections of 
the ship with fresh air. Should a compartment or 
magazine become flooded with water it could not 
back through the ventilating pipes. Outside the 
bulkhead is a pocket containing a hollow ball which 
rises when the pocket fills with water. The pres- 
sure from the flooded compartment forces the ball 
against the aperture in the ventilating pipe, thus 
preventing water from entering. 

In time of action all battle hatches are secured 
and the large amount of fresh air forced into the 
lower parts of the ship makes it quite comfortable 
for the men stationed below decks. 

The fire rooms and engine rooms have several 
large ventilators extending above the upper decks. 
At the top of each ventilator is a large revolving 
hood which is kept faced into the wind, causing the 
heat to be lessened in the engine and fire rooms. 
When at sea these ventilator hoods are attended to 
by the watch on deck whenever the course of the 
ship or wind changes. Should there be no breeze, 
the hoods are faced forward for the speed of the ship 
creates quite a draft. 



136 The American Battleship in Commission 



FRESH AND SALT WATER SYSTEMS 

A complete distilling plant is installed aboard the 
ship. Most of the fresh water used is made by the 
evaporators. Located in different parts of the ship 
are many fresh water tanks which supply the various 
pipe lines. 

Salt water, which is pumped into the evaporators, 
comes out sweet and pure for all foreign substances 
are destroyed by the process of distillation. The 
fresh water tanks are cleaned and cemented regu- 
larly. Several thousand gallons of water is used daily, 
particularly when at sea. 

All exhaust steam from the machinery of the ship 
discharges into the condensers which contain several 
hundred small tubes through which salt water in its 
cold state is circulated and by this means the ex- 
haust steam is condensed. All water thus con- 
densed is filtered and used again for feed water for 
the boilers. Were it not for this condensing pro- 
cess ships would be unable to make long voyages as 
the water supply would soon become exhausted. 

The salt water that has been used for cooling pur- 
poses by the ice machines and evaporators empties 
into the sanitary tank which is located on the super- 
structure deck and is used for flushing purposes. 

The piping system of the ship is a complicated 



Description of United States Vessels 137 

affair. Connections are so made that by regulating 
certain valves the supply can be taken from any sys- 
tem desired. 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES VESSELS 

The following six tables give a good description of 
all vessels of 3,000 tons displacement or over. Only 
vessels built for warships are included; auxiliary 
cruisers, supply ships, and colliers being omitted. In 
time of war battleships and armored cruisers are looked 
upon as the most important factors, for these craft 
are capable of steaming any reasonable distance to 
give battle. Colliers, supply ships and other craft ren- 
der valuable service by providing coal, ammunition and 
provisions for the fighting vessels, or performing other 
important duties. 

In time of war, each nation must rely on its own 
resources to furnish their ships with coal and other 
supplies. The international neutrality laws forbid war- 
ships of either belligerent to remain in a neutral port 
over forty-eight hours and during this period the ships 
are allowed to take aboard only enough supplies to en- 
able them to reach the nearest home port. 

As the monitors are of slow speed, poor sea boats, 
and incapable of steaming a long distance with their 
limited coal supply, they are intended and used for 



1 38 The American Battleship in Commission 

harbor and coast defense exclusively. No more moni- 
tors are being built, for the powerful battleships and 
armored cruisers have taken their place. 

These tables were compiled from the data obtained 
from the "Annual Report of the Chief of Bureau of 
Construction and Repair," and have been revised and 
declared "practically correct in all essentials," by the 
Bureau. 

The data of vessels mentioned may vary from prior 
data, for they change in minor details from various 
causes. For example, the contract speed of the arm- 
ored cruiser Pennsylvania called for twenty-two knots, 
and the horse-power to be developed at the trial trip 
was not to be less than 23,000. This vessel made an 
actual speed of 22.44 knots, and her machinery devel- 
oped 28,600 horse-power, which greatly exceeded that 
specified in the contract. The speed and horse-power 
of a few of the large type of ships pertain to the terms 
specified ion the contract. The length and breadth of 
the ship, also thickness and dispostion of the armor, 
and many other details remain the same at all times. 

The length of the ships is quoted in even feet. For 
instance, the exact length over all, of the Oregon is 
351 ft, 2 in., the Indiana, a sister ship, is 350 ft., 11 



Man-o'-war Yarns 139 

in. Both of these vessels are quoted as being 351 ft. 
in length. 

The column marked "Single Discharge" signifies the 
total weight, in pounds, of the projectiles fired from the 
main battery of each ship, each gun firing one round. 
The fighting qualities of a ship, however, cannot be 
judged by the weight of the projectiles alone, although 
this represents a very important factor. 

A twelve-inch shell weighs 250 lbs. less than a thir- 
teen-inch one ; a twelve-inch gun, however, is as power- 
ful and destructive as a thirteen-inch gun. For this 
reason ships of the new type are equipped with twelve- 
inch guns. The total number of guns in the secondary 
battery is given, which also includes the small portable 
guns that are used by the batalion. 

The table entitled "Summary of Vessels Built and 
Building" gives a good idea of the total strength of 
the navy. Gunboats under 500 tons displacement and 
other smaller craft are omitted from this table. Were 
they included, their data would greatly increase the 
totals. 

Not all the ships mentioned in the following tables 
are actually in commission at one time. A few may be 
out of commission temporarily at the various navy 



140 The American Battleship in Commission 

yards where they are being overhauled. Others may 
be assigned to the reserve fleet, but most always can 
be utilized quickly, since the skeleton crews, which con- 
sist of a small portion of their regular complement, are 
kept aboard to keep the ships in order. When a crisis 
approaches, or at the declaration of war, all available 
fighting craft assemble as rapidly as possible and form 
into fleets, squadrons and divisions. 



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Wm. Cramp & Sons, 

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Newport News S. B. Co. 

Newport News, Va. 
Wm. Cramp & Sons, 

Philadelphia, Pa. 
Newport News S. B. Co. 

Newport News, Va. 
Union Iron Works, 

San Francisco, Cal. 
Union Iron Works, 

San Francisco, Cal. 


New York S. B. Co,, 

Camden, N. J. 
Wm. Cramp & Sons, 

Philadelphia, Pa. 
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Newport News, Va. 
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John Roach, Chester, Pa., 
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Newport News S. B. Co., 

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Union Iron Works, 

San Francisco, Cal. 


Lewis Nixon, 

Elizabethport, N. J. 
Bath Iron Works, 

Bath, Maine. 


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Growth of the Navy in 14 Years 147 

HOW THE NAVY HAS GROWN IN FOURTEEN YEARS. 

The following tables demonstrate the growth of the 
navy covering a period of fourteen years. The first 
table, dated December 31, 1894, includes all the armored 
cruisers, monitors, and protected cruisers that were 
completed up to and including that date. Only vessels 
of 3,000 tons displacement, or over, are included in 
these tables. Auxiliary cruisers, gunboats and other 
less important craft are omitted. 

By referring to the weight of projectiles fired from 
the Delaware type of battleship, it will be seen that it 
is 6,200 lbs. (or more than three times as much) more 
than the six protected cuisers of the Cleveland type can 
fire from their main batteries. The battleship also has 
many other points of advantage besides that of firing 
projectiles. 

In comparing the expense of operating these six pro- 
tected cruisers with that of a battleship, it will show a 
balance greatly in favor of the latter. This fact de- 
monstrates that the battleship is not only the most val- 
uable in war, but is also cheaper in the end. 

The aggregate tonnage of these six protected cruis- 
ers mentioned in the table "Protected Cruisers, Built," 
is 19,200 tons; the number of officers required 114; 
men required 1,922. The tonnage of the Delaware is 
20,000. This ship carries a complement of 55 officers 
and 878 men. 



148 The American Battleship in Commission 

Prior to 1894, no battleships were in commission. 
When the second-class battleships Texas and the Maine 
(old Maine), and the first-class battleships Oregon, 
Indiana and Massachusetts were commissioned they 
were regarded a great fighting craft. The fighting 
qualities of our latest type of battleships, however, 
greatly exceed the older type in many respects. 

The following changes have been made in the tables : 
The data pertaining to the Maine (old Maine) is in- 
cluded in the tables up to 1898 ; after this date the data 
is omitted, for the Maine was lost in the early part of 
the year of 1898, in the harbor of Havana. The data of 
the protected cruiser Charleston (old Charleston) is in- 
cluded up to 1900. The Charleston was lost in the Phil- 
ippines during the year of 1899. The protected cruiser 
Philadelphia is also included in the tables up to 1902 ; 
after this date the data is omitted as the Philadelphia is 
used as a receiving ship. 

Since only vessels on the "Active List" are included 
in these tables, it would be misleading to include the 
data of vessels which were lost, or not carried on the 
"Active List." The older type of ships was rated in a 
higher class a few years ago. At the present time 
only battleships and armored cruisers are classed as 
vessels of the first rate. 



GroTvth of the Navy in 14 Years 149 



(Dec. 31, 1894.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 
Discharge 

(lbs.) 
MainBattery 


1 Armored Cruiser 

2 Monitors 

11 Protected Cruisers 


8,150 

8,074 

48,558 


34 
30 

288 


525 

374 

3,812 


1,500 
4,700 

11,288 


Total, 14 ships 


64,782 


352 


4,7H 


17,488 



(Dec. 31, 1896.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 

Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 

Discharge 

(lbs.) 

Main Battery 


3 First-class Battleships 
2 Second-class Battleships 
2 Armored Cruisers 
6 Monitors 
13 Protected Cruisers 


30,864 
12,997 

17,365 
26,104 

58,153 


87 
61 

75 
103 

325 


1,730 

821 

1,065 

1, ill 

4,38o 


20,400 

4,900 

4,IOO 

14,562 

13,828 


Total, 26 ships 


145,483 


651 


9,107 


57,790 



(Dec. 31,1898.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 

Discharge 

(lbs.) 

Main Battery 


4 First-class Battleships 
2 Second-class Battleships 
2 Armored Cruisers 
6 Monitors 
14 Protected Cruisers 


42,2IO 
12,997 

17,365 
26, 104 

61,583 


122 
6l 

75 
103 

344 


2,349 
821 
1,065 
1, in 
4,709 


25,932 

4,900 

4,IOO 

14,562 

14,328 


Total, 28 ships 


160,259 


705 


10,055 


63,822 



(Dec. 31, 1900.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 
Discharge 

(lbs) 
MainBattery 


7 First-class Battleships 

1 Second-class Battleship 

2 Armored Cruisers 
6 Monitors 

15 Protected Cruisers 


76,802 

6,315 
17,365 
26,104 

65,OI3 


230 
30 

75 
103 

363 


4,328 
478 
1,065 
I, III 
5,°43 


43,932 

2,300 

4,IOO 

14,562 

14,828 


Total, 31 ships 


191,599 


801 


12,025 


79,722 



150 The American Battleship in Commission 



(Dec. 31, 1902.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 
Discharge 

(lbs.) 
Main Battery 


10 First-class Battleships 

1 Second-class Battleship 

2 Armored Cruisers 
8 Monitors 

14 Protected Cruisers 


112,406 

6,315 
17,365 
32,554 
61,283 


339 
30 

75 
129 

343 


6,412 

478 
1,065 

1,529 

4,757 


60,532 
2,300 
4,IOO 

18,226 

13,788 


Total, 35 ships 


229,923 


916 


14,241 


98,946 



(Dec. 31, 1904.) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 
Discharge 

(lbs.) 
Main Battery 


12 First-class Battleships 

1 Second-class Battleship 

2 Armored Cruisers 
10 Monitors 

18 Protected Cruisers 


137,406 

6,315 

17,365 
39,004 

72,870 


420 
30 

75 
i55 
408 


7,910 

478 

1,065 

1,947 
5,998 


70,532 

2,300 

4,IOO 

21,890 

15,028 


Total, 43 ships 


272,960 


1,088 


17,398 


U3,850 



(Dec. 31, 1906.) 





Displace- 






Single 


Number and Type of Ships 


ment 
(tons) 

Normal 


^Officers 


Men 


Discharge 

(lbs.) 

Main Battery 


18 First-class Battleships 


229,198 


662 


12,693 


111,692 


1 Second-class Battleship 


6,315 


30 


478 


2,300 


8 Armored Cruisers 


101,085 


319 


6,250 


20,900 


10 Monitors 


39,004 


155 


i,947 


21,890 


22 Protected Cruisers 


105,170 


535 


8,304 


19,728 


Total, 59 ships 


480,772 j 


1,701 


29,672 


176,510 



(Dec. 31, 1908 ) 



Number and Type of Ships 


Displace- 
ment 
(tons) 
Normal 


Officers 


Men 


Single 
Discharge 

(lbs.) 
Main Battery 


25 First-class Battleships 
I Second-class Battleship 

12 Armored Cruisers 

10 Monitors 

22 Protected Cruisers 
3 Scout Cruisers 


334,146 

6,315 

157,445 

39,004 
105,170 

11,250 


934 
30 

481 

155 

535 

48 


18,109 

478 
9,410 

i,947 
8,304 
1,020 


161,252 

2,300 

32,900 

21,890 

19,728 

552 


Total, 73 ships 


653,330 


2,183 


39,268 


238,622 


















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CHAPTER VI 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WARSHIPS — TWO YEARS ON 

THE OREGON — HOW A BATTLESHIP IS DOCKED 

— ADMIRAL DEWEY'S FLEET AT MANILA 

BAY COMPARED WITH A MODERN 

BATTLESHIP — HOW THE CREW 

IS DIVIDED — NAVAL NOTES 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WARSHIPS (145) 

IT is a difficult task to define any set rules re- 
garding the size and type of the different war- 
ships. 
A man-o'-war is quite deceiving in regard to size 
and strength. Take, for example, the smaller pro- 
tected cruisers; gazing at one from a distance, or 
looking at the photograph of one, she looms up like 
a battleship or an armored cruiser. 

By knowing the displacement, caliber of the guns, 
and weight of projectiles, one can easily ascertain 
the ship's power and type. By referring to the 
"Description of United States Vessels" in this 
book, the power and type of any ship can be ascer- 
tained. This applies only to warships of three thou- 



154 The American Battleship in Commission 

sand tons or over. The smaller type of vessels is 
not included, owing to the large number of them. 
In referring to any type of warship as being ten 
thousand tons, or any other figures, it signifies 
that it represents the normal displacement. 

In time of battle, battleships and armored 
cruisers bear the brunt of the engagement; the 
smaller ships being protected by the larger ones 
when possible. 

The figures, as shown in the description of the 
different types of warships, apply only to our navy. 
Many foreign nations, of course, rate ships of a 
similar size and type in a higher class. 

Battleships are from ten thousand tons up, and 
they, with the armored cruisers, represent the 
backbone of the navy. Extending the entire 
length of the ship is a belt of armor which protects 
her sides. The thickest portion of this belt is 
along amidships ; it then tapers down toward the 
stem and stern. 

The battleship's largest guns are twelve- or thir- 
teen-inch, mounted in turrets, located forward and 
aft on the center line of the main deck. These 
guns are mounted in pairs ; the turret revolves on 
top of the barbette, which extends down through the 
lower decks to the handling room below. 

The intermediate guns are four-, five-, six-, or 



Different Types of Warships 155 

sevenMnch and are mounted in broadsides, and are 
operated by hand. 

The ship has an armored deck which extends her 
entire length. This deck is three inches thick in 
some places and protects the ship's vitals. Ships 
with the best armor, armament, speed, and greatest 
steaming radius are the most valuable. When one 
considers the power required to force a sixteen-thou- 
sand-ton ship through the water at a speed of 
eighteen to twenty-one knots or more, an hour, one 
may wonder how it is possible. 

Armored Cruisers average about fourteen thou- 
sand tons. Their largest caliber guns are eight- or 
ten-inch, which are mounted in turrets similar to 
those of a battleship. 

The armor and armament of an armored cruiser 
are considerably less than that of a battleship. This 
is due to the fact that the armored cruiser is of 
great speed and also has a large steaming radius. 
Armored cruisers are practically battleships except in 
name. 

Monitors are built for coast defense purposes and 
are kept around home ports. They are seldom 
sent to sea for long voyages, although the Monterey 
and Monadnock made a successful voyage from San 
Francisco to Manila, a distance of about six thou- 
sand miles. 



156 The American Battleship in Commission 

A monitor has very little freeboard, that is, the 
ship's sides, above the water-line, do not extend 
very high out of the water. The freeboard is 
about sixteen inches, and in time of action the 
flooding tanks can be filled with sea water so that 
only the turrets and upper works would be exposed 
to fire. 

The largest caliber guns on a monitor are ten- or 
twelve-inch, which are mounted in pairs, in turrets. 
Some of the smaller monitors have but a single tur- 
ret in which two twelve-inch guns are mounted. 
The speed of a monitor varies from eleven to 
fourteen knots. A monitor represents half a bat- 
tleship in appearance, for should another deck be 
built on top of the monitor's main deck, and be 
armored on the sides, the vessel would be a regular 
battleship. 

Protected Cruisers can be divided into two classes. 
Second rate cruisers vary between four and nine 
thousand tons; third rate cruisers vary between 
three and four thousand tons. Protected cruisers 
have less protection and armament than armored 
cruisers. Their largest caliber guns are eight-inch, 
some of which are mounted in turrets on the larger 
type. 

This type of ships is of great value for they per- 
form a great deal of scout duty, commerce-destroy- 



Different Types of Warships 157 

ing, etc. They have a protective deck, both sides of 
which slant in order to divert the course of a shell 
should one strike it. A protective deck performs 
the same functions as an armored deck ; of course, 
the protective deck is much smaller. The average 
speed of the protected cruiser is about twenty 
knots, although several exceed this speed. 

Three scout cruisers, the Chester, Birmingham, and 
Salem, are about to be commissioned. These vessels 
are capable of making twenty- four knots' speed or over. 
They also carry a large supply of coal which gives 
them a large steaming radius. 

Two of these vessels are equipped with turbin en- 
gines; the Chester is equipped with the Parson type; 
the Salem with the Curtis type of turbine, while the 
Birmingham is equipped with the regular reciprocating 
engines. 

These cruisers are of the same type and size and 
when completed, great interest will be taken in their 
trial trips. Should the turbin engines prove superior 
to the old style reciprocating engines, which have been 
in use for years, the propelling machinery of warships 
will be changed. Many private steamships, which are 
equipped with turbine machinery have proved to be 
quite successful. 

Converted Cruisers are steamers which have been 
engaged in the merchant-marine service. These 



158 The American Battleship in Commission 

vessels were purchased prior to the war with Spain. 
Their tonnage varies according to size, but they 
will average six thousand tons. Their largest caliber 
guns are six-inch. These vessels serve for various 
purposes, as they can be used for supply boats, 
transporting troops, etc. 

Some of the foreign nations compel the ship- 
owners to build their vessels in such a manner that 
a battery of large caliber guns can be quickly in- 
stalled. This necessitates extra strengthening of 
the ship. In time of war these vessels could be 
quickly converted into cruisers, making a valuable 
addition to any fleet. 

Gunboats vary from one hundred tons to two 
thousand tons. The expense attached to operating 
a gunboat is insignificant when compared with that 
of a 1? -, ship. Gunboats and protected cruisers 
relieve me larger ships from much steaming about. 
Should trouble be brewing anywhere, these small ves- 
sels, or protected cruisers, are sent to investigate, and 
should the trouble prove to be of a serious nature the 
entire fleet would soon be in readiness. 

Their largest caliber guns are six-inch, which have 
an armored shield over and around them. Many 
gunboats have coffer-dams which are hollow com- 
partments filled with cellulose. Should a shell 
penetrate the ship below the water-line, the water 



Different Types of Warships 159 

would cause the cellulose to swell, thus closing the 
hole. The coal bunkers being filled with coal also act 
as a protection. Gunboats are of great use in shallow- 
water on account of their light draught. 

Torpedo Boats are in two classes. Torpedo boat 
destroyers are long, narrow vessels about two hun- 
dred and fifty feet in length ; the regular torpedo 
boats being about half the size and strength of the 
destroyers. The construction of all torpedo boats 
is very light, and their interior contains an enor- 
mous amount of machinery. 

The destroyers make twenty-eight knots or more, 
and their tonnage varies between four and five hun- 
dred tons. Their horse-power is as high as eight 
thousand, which is, of course, enormous when com- 
pared with their small tonnage. The armament 
consists of a few three-inch, and six-pounder guns. 
They are also equipped with several torpedo tubes 
from which the torpedoes are fired. The destroyers 
make excellent despatch and patrol boats on account 
of their great speed. 

The secondary battery of all warships is used to 
repel torpedo boat attacks. When a torpedo boat 
attempts to torpedo a ship, its movements must be 
rapid. 



160 The American Battleship in Commission 

TWO YEARS ON THE OREGON 

When a battleship is commissioned and ready 
for service she is then attached to some fleet or 
squadron. 

Many opportunities are given the enlisted men to go 
ashore and view the various sights that are to be en- 
countered, particularly in a foreign port. 

At the time the Oregon was built, she was known 
as a coast-defense battleship, owing to the fact that 
she had a small freeboard. In 1898, when the 
Oregon made her famous trip from San Francisco 
to Cuba, a voyage of about fourteen thousand 
miles, her reputation as a sea-going ship was firmly 
established. 

The Oregon set forth from San Francisco on No- 
vember 1, 1902, en route to the Asiatic station to 
join Rear-Admiral Evans's fleet. After leaving 
Honolulu for Yokohama, the ship encountered a 
terrific typhoon, which carried away several of her 
boats and caused considerable damage about the 
upper decks. 

About midnight of November 27, 1902, when 
the storm was at its worst, an enormous sea swept 
over the entire ship and crushed in the starboard 
side of the pilot house. Good seamanship and a 
good ship came out ahead, for the Oregon escaped 
with a safe hull, for none of the main parts of the 
ship were seriously damaged. 



Two Years on the Oregon 161 

Upon reaching Yokohama, the ship was ordered 
to a Japanese shipyard where repairs were made. 
Upon completion of these repairs, the Oregon joined 
Rear-Admiral Evans's fleet. 

The Russian- Japanese war caused all warships to 
leave and remain away from the ports of both belliger- 
ents until peace was declared. It is strictly against the 
neutrality laws for a warship of any nation to visit or 
remain in any port of either belligerent while a 
state of war exists. The Oregon would have vis- 
ited many other ports but for this war. 

The following is a complete list, taken from the 
author's log, of the ports visited by the Oregon, 
covering a period of two years : 

ITINERARY CRUISE OF THE OREGON 



Departed from 

San Francisco, Cal. 
Honolulu, H. I. 
Yokohama, Japan 
Uraga, Japan 
Yokohama, Japan 
Woosung, China 
Hong Kong, China 
Amoy, China 
Yangtse River, China 
Nagasaki, Japan 
Yokohama, Japan 
Kobe, Japan 
Inland Sea, Japan 



Date of sailing 

Nov. i, 1902 
Nov. 23, 1902 
Dec. 13, 1902 
Feb. 17, 1903 
Feb. 18, 1903 
Mar. 14, 1903 
Apr. 4, 1903 
Apr. 7, 1903 
Apr. 12, 1903 
Apr. 17, 1903 
May 29, 1903 
May 31, 1903 
June 2, 1903 



Length of stay 
I month, n days 
13 days 
8 days 

1 month, 17 days 
11 days 

17 days 
17 days 

2 days 

3 days 
3 days 

1 month, 9 days 
Hove to for pilot 
I day en route 



62 The American Battleship in Commission 



Departed from 

Cheefoo, China 

Taku, China 

Cheefoo, China 

Tsnigtau, China 

Nagasaki, Japan 

Kobe, Japan 

Yokohama, Japan 

Yokosuka, Japan 

Yokohama, Japan 

Honolulu, H. I. 

Wake Island 

Guam, L. I. 

Cavite, P. I. 

Olongapo, P. I. 

Target Range, Manila Bay 

Cavite, P. I. 

Hong Kong, China 

Cavite, P. I. 

Woosung, China 



Date of sailing 
June II, 1903 
June 17, 1903 
Sept. 20, 1903 
Sept. 26, 1903 
Oct. 20, 1903 
Oct. 27, 1903 
Nov. 13, 1903 
Nov. 18, 1903 
Dec. 5, 1903 
Dec. 29, 1903 
Jan. 6, 1904 
Jan. 13, 1904 
Jan. 20, 1904 
Feb. 8, 1904 
Feb. 27, 1904 
May 20, 1904 
June 15, 1904 
June 22, 1904 
Oct. 27, 1904 



Length of stay 
6 days 
5 days 

3 months, 2 days 
5 days 

22 days 
5 days 

16 days 
5 days 

17 days 
13 days 
iday 

3 days 
2 days 
19 days 
19 days 

2 months,23 days 

23 days 
5 days 

4 months 



HOW A BATTLESHIP IS DOCKED 

Located at the different navy yards are one or 
more dry docks large enough to accommodate the 
largest warships. 

When practicable, battleships are docked every 
six months, and as a rule they are never allowed to 
go without docking longer than nine months. The 
naval constructor of the navy yard has charge of 
the docking. The captain is in charge until the 
bow of his ship crosses the sill of the dock, then 
the naval constructor takes charge. 



How a Battleship is Docked 163 

All ships carry a set of docking plans which give 
the exact dimensions of the ship. The dock people 
set up the blocking according to these plans. 

The majority of our battleships are over twelve 
thousand tons displacement and when one considers 
the many difficulties to be overcome, he quickly 
realizes the magnitude of the task of docking. 
Should one set of blocking be misplaced it would 
perhaps ruin the ship. 

A dry dock is a large excavation in the ground 
with one end bordering on the sea. The sides and 
bottom of the dock are built of huge blocks of 
stone closely fitted and cemented together. The 
sea end of the dock is called the sill, and is built 
quite strongly, as the dock gate fits firmly against 
it. In the center line of the bottom of the dock is 
a continuous row of blocking, which is of uniform 
height and is known as the keel blocking, because 
the keel of the ship rests on it. 

Extending out to the sides of the dock are many 
large timbers well blocked underneath. The bilge 
blocking is slid over these timbers after the ship 
has settled on the keel blocking. These bilge 
blockings are slid under the ship's bilges, thus help- 
ing to support the vessel. The bilges pertain to 
the flat portion of the ship's bottom. Bilge block- 
ing is made in various shapes and sizes, for the 
bottoms of ships differ in form. 



1 64 The American Battleship in Commission 

The dock gate resembles a small barge and when 
placed in position it is filled with water which sinks 
it and allows the water to be pumped out of the 
dock. The dock gate contains several gate-valves. 
Upon opening the valves the water enters the dock 
and floods it. When the dock is filled, the water 
in the dock gate is pumped out until the gate floats 
clear of the sill, and it is then removed to one side 
in order to allow the ship to enter or leave the dock. 

Docking is done at high tide. When the ship's 
bow enters the dock she is warped into position 
with the assistance of many hawsers. After the 
ship enters the dock, the gate is placed in position 
and submerged. This gate has a large rubber gas- 
ket on the inner side and the pressure of the sea 
without keeps the gate in position, thus forming a 
water-tight joint. When the gate has been set, 
and the ship properly placed, the naval constructor 
signals the pump house to start the pumps. 

The pump house contains centrifugal pumps ca- 
pable of pumping an enormous amount of water. 
As the water lowers in the dock the ship lowers ac- 
cordingly until she finally rests on the keel blocks. 

Great caution is exercised in placing the ship in 
the exact position designated, for should she be 
misplaced in the slightest degree, the blocking would 
not fit. When the ship rests well on the keel blocks 
the pumps are temporarily stopped. 



How a Battleship is Docked 165 

The ship is now well shored, and when completed, 
the pumps are again started. As the water lowers 
in the dock a small army of men are scraping the 
sea-growth from the ship's bottom. This marine 
growth (barnacles, etc.) is removed more easily 
while wet. 

As the water in the dock is lowering, the bilge 
blocking is slipped under the ship's bilges. After 
the dock has been pumped out, all necessary repairs 
are made; sea- valves, suction pipes, rudder, and 
propellers are thoroughly overhauled. 

When the bottom is well cleaned it is then given 
several coats of paint. The last coat is applied as 
the dock is being flooded. This last coat of special- 
ly prepared paint gives better results when left to 
harden under water. The invention of a paint 
which would keep a ship's bottom free of marine 
growth would bring a fortune to the inventor. 

When the ship is ready to be undocked, the valves 
in the dock gate are opened and the dock is slowly 
flooded. When a sufficient amount of water has 
entered, the horizontal shores are knocked adrift, 
and when the dock fills, the ship floats clear of all 
blocking on which she was resting. The water in 
the dock gate is now pumped out until the gate 
floats clear of the sill, and it is then removed to one 
side and the ship taken out of the dock. 

The vessel is warped out of the dock with large 



1 66 The American Battleship in Commission 

hawsers. Tugs are at hand to tow the ship to her 
berth ; or the ship may have steam up in her main 
boilers, which would dispense with the services of 
the tugs. 

As the ship leaves the dock the dock gate is again 
placed in position and sunk, and the dock pumped 
out. All blocking is then rearranged for the next 
vessel on the docking list. 

Often two or more small-size ships are docked to- 
gether. At the navy yards, a large traveling crane 
travels around the edge of the dock and is of great 
use in dismounting guns, etc. 

The navy has a large floating dock in the Philip- 
pine Islands for use by the ships on duty in that 
vicinity. This dock is of great capacity and is ca- 
pable of docking the largest cruiser or battleship. 
This dock is worked on the pontoon principle : the 
dock is submerged deep enough to allow a ship to 
enter the docking space ; when the ship is in position 
the flooded pontoons are pumped out until the ship 
is gradually raised clear of the water, and she is 
then cleaned and repaired. By reflooding the pon- 
toons the dock quickly settles, and when sunk suffi- 
ciently, the ship floats clear. 

This dock is so constructed that it is capable of 
docking itself. The connecting-bolts, which con- 
nect the various sections, can be adjusted so that 
one set of pontoons will raise another set clear of 



Admiral Dewey 's Fleet at Manila Bay 167 

the water. Upon being cleaned or repaired, these 
same pontoons are lowered, and utilized to raise 
others for the same purpose. 

The various nations often allow a warship of oth- 
er nations to be docked in their navy yards. This 
is done as an act of courtesy, for at times it is incon- 
venient to dock at a private dockyard, owing to the 
large number of other ships that may be on the 
docking list awaiting their turn to be docked. 

ADMIRAL DEWEY'S FLEET AT MANILA BAY 

COMPARED WITH A 20,000-TON 

BATTLESHIP 

The following comparison will give a good idea of 
the fighting strength of a 20,000-ton battleship com- 
pared with an average fleet of smaller size vessels. 
All of the warships which participated in the battle 
of Manila Bay have been placed out of commission 
and were thoroughly overhauled, and a different 
type and caliber of guns installed. 

The data pertaining to Admiral Dewey's fleet re- 
fer to 1898. The column marked ' ' single discharge" 
signifies the total weight of projectiles fired from 
each ship, each gun of the main battery firing one 
round. The secondary battery is omitted, as the 
total weight of projectiles fired would be insignifi- 
cant. Six-pounder guns are the largest caliber guns 
in the secondary battery of medium-size ships. Ten 



1 68 The American Battleship in Commission 

guns of this caliber would discharge only sixty 
pounds of metal. 








Displace- 
ment 
(Tons) 




»rt CO 

1l 

Q. O 

21.69 

20.IO 

19.00 

15.6 
16.8 

11. 8 


G U 

0$ 4-» 
S3 


Single 

Discharge 

(Lbs.)* 


Olympia 

Baltimore 

Raleigh 

Boston 

Concord 
Petrel 


Protected Cruiser 
Protected Cruiser 
Protected Cruiser 

Protected Cruiser 

Gunboat 
Gunboat 


5,865 
4,413 
3,i83 

3,000 

1,620 
892 


17,080 
8,778 
8,500 

4,300 

3,359 
1,008 


j four 8" ) 
1 ten 5" J 
j four 8" ) 
} six 6" \ 
i ten 5" J. 
( one 6" \ 
S two 8" I 
) six 6" \ 
six 6" 
four 6" 


1,500 

1,600 

600 

l,IOO 

600 
400 




Total, 6 Ships 


18,973 








5,8oo 



U. S. S. CONNECTICUT 



s 

csj 





Displace 

ment 

(Tons) 




C0^ 


.G 0) 


Single 

Discharge 

(Lbs.)* 


Delaware 


Battleship 


20,000 


25,000 


18.10 


( ten 12" ) 

j fourt'n 8" V 


7,380 



*Main Battery, 



Admiral Dewey's fleet has a displacement of 1,027 
tons less than the battleship Delaware. The Delaware 
discharges 3,400 pounds more metal in a single dis- 
charge than Admiral Dewey's entire fleet. 



How the Crew is Divided 169 

HOW THE CREW IS DIVIDED 

A glance through the various periodicals and 
newspapers published throughout the country will 
demonstrate that naval news is always interesting. 
All of the statements which appear in print, how- 
ever, are not quite true. For instance : a periodical 
may refer to some magistrate who has given some 
incorrigible the choice of joining the navy or being 
sent to the reform school. An incident of this na- 
ture casts reflection on the enlisted personnel of the 
service; it also creates an unfavorable impression 
with the general public. 

The navy never has been, and never will be, a 
dumping ground for men who should be in the pen- 
itentiary. The reader can judge the truth of this 
statement by referring to a quotation from "The 
Bluejacket/* a naval magazine published by an en- 
listed man. The remark in question is as follows: 
" Every good man brought into the navy is an in- 
vitation for an undesirable one to get out." 

Occasionally an undesirable person may manage 
to enlist, but when his true character is discovered 
he is dishonorably discharged. The naval regula- 
tions contain several clauses relating to the discharge 
of any person who may turn out to be worthless. 
When a person of this character is * ' beached " (man- 
o'-war lingo, meaning dishonorable discharge) he is 



170 The American Battleship in Commission 

discharged for inaptitude, which, in plain English, 
means worthlessness. In this manner the navy has 
but little trouble in ridding the service of all unde- 
sirables. 

The term " sixteen-dollar-a-month- Jackie M may 
also appear in print. Regarding this title, there is 
not a bluejacket in the navy to-day who cares to be 
called a Jackie, for the term seems repulsive in 
every respect. There are many other terms used in 
referring to the enlisted men, such as Jack, sailors, 
bluejackets, or Jack Tar. Any of these titles is 
quite appropriate, but the term " Jackie " is entirely 
out of place. 

In regard to the " sixteen-dollar-a-month- Jack- 
ie/' the author has had the following table compiled 
which shows in plain figures the average pay of the 
enlisted men. This list is taken from the U. S. S. 
Maryland, one of our armored cruisers. The month- 
ly pay is figured singly, and collectively. The wage 
scale is underestimated more than overestimated, 
because the pay of the extra rates is omitted. 

When a person reenlists his pay is greatly in- 
creased. Take, for instance, the chief master-at- 
arms of the Maryland : his pay is $73. 50 per month ; 
upon reenlisting he will be granted four months' pay 
gratis, and $4.36 per month additional pay, which 
would cause his pay to average $83.96 per month 
throughout the enlistment. 



How the Crew is Divided 171 

In averaging the pay of the crew it will be seen 
that each man averages $30.00 per month. This 
could refer to the entire navy, as all ships rate a 
certain allowance of men of each rate, which is reg- 
ulated by the size and type of the ship. 

It should also be taken into consideration that an 
enlisted man is fed and quartered, all medical at- 
tendance is free, and he is furnished with his first 
outfit of clothing gratis. 

The complement of a ship may vary slightly. 
One ship may have three plumbers aboard, when in 
reality only two are allowed. The extra plumber 
would eventually be transferred to some other ship 
which required a plumber in her complement. 



1 72 The American Battleship in Commission 

U. S. S. MARYLAND 

Seaman Branch: Pay £ch mo - SUSfr* 

1 Chief Master-at-Arms $73-5° $73-5° 

1 Chief Boatswain's Mate 73-5° 73-5° 

1 Chief Gunner's Mate 75*5° 75-5° 

2 Chief Quartermasters 73-5° 147.00 

2 Masters-at-Arms, 1st class 42.11 84.22 

4 Boatswain's Mates, 1st class 42.11 168.44 

4 Gunner's Mates, 1st class 44. 11 176.44 

2 Turret Captains 65.00 130.00 

1 Quartermaster, 1st class 42.11 42.11 

2 Masters-at-Arms, 2d class 35. 00 70.00 

6 Boatswain's Mates, 2d class 35. 00 210.00 

4 Gunner's Mates, 2d class 35. 00 140.00 

1 Quartermaster, 2d class 35. 00 35. 00 

3 Masters-at-Arms, 3d class Z*$6 94.08 

15 Coxswains 3^>3^ 545-4° 

5 Gunner's Mates, 3d class 33-36 166.80 

2 Quartermasters, 3d class S 1 ^^ 62.72 

119 Seamen 26.11 3107.09 

180 Ordinary Seamen 19.00 3420.00 

355 Men Average monthly pay, $24.81 $8821.80 

Engine-room Force: 

6 Chief Machinist's Mates $72. 11 $432.66 

4 Chief Watertenders 72. 11 288.44 

6 Machinist's Mates, 1st class 57. n 342.66 

2 Boilermakers . . 67. 1 1 134. 22 

3 Blacksmiths 51-36 154.08 

2 Coppersmiths 56.36 112.72 

14 Watertenders, 1 st class ..41.36 579.04 

8 Machinist's Mates, 2d class 4 2 -75 342.00 

14 Oilers 39.11 547-54 

48 Firemen, 1st class 36.36 1745.28 

48 Firemen, 2d class 30.00 1440.00 

107 Coalpassers 22.00 2354.00 

262 Men Average monthly pay, $32.38 $8472.64 



How the Crew is Divided 173 

Artificers' Branch: Pay !£ h mo - &S&3S 

2 Chief Electricians (i wireless). . . .$72.11 $144.22 

1 Chief Carpenter's Mate 72.11 72.11 

9 Electricians, 1st class (1 wireless) . 52.11 468.99 

1 Carpenter's Mate, 1st class 42.11 42.11 

1 Shipfltter, 1st class 56.36 56.36 

1 Painter, 1st class 43-36 43. 36 

1 Sailmaker's Mate 41.36 4 x -36 

2 Plumbers and Fitters 48.36 96.72 

5 Electricians, 2d class (1 wireless) . 41.36 206.80 

1 Carpenter's Mate, 2d class 36.36 36.36 

1 Shipfltter, 2d class 40.00 40.00 

1 Painter, 2d class 35-°° 35- °° 

5 Electricians, 3d class (1 wireless). 32.00 160.00 

1 Carpenter's Mate, 3d class 32.00 32.00 

1 Painter, 3d class 32.00 32.00 

2 Shipwrights 25.00 50.00 

35 Men Average monthly pay, $44.50 $1557.39 
Special Branch: 

5 Chief Yeomen $75-47 $377-35 

1 Chief Commissary Steward 75-47 75-47 

1 Hospital Steward 61.36 61.36 

1 Bandmaster 53-36 53.36 

2 Yeomen, 1st class 43-36 86.72 

1 First Musician 37-36 37-36 

2 Yeomen, 2d class 37.00 74.00 

3 Yeomen, 3d class 32.00 96.00 

1 Printer 36.36 36.36 

2 Hospital Apprentices, 1st class . . . 31.36 62.72 
2 Hospital Apprentices, 2d class . . . 20.00 40.00 

6 Musicians, 1st class 32.00 192.00 

8 Musicians, 2d class 30.00 240.00 

2 Buglers 30. 00 60. 00 



37 Men Average monthly pay, $44.50 $1492.70 



1 74 The American Battleship in Commission 

Messmen Branch: P * y & m °- SXSSvdy 

i Cabin Steward $52.11 $52.11 

1 Cabin Cook 47. 11 47.11 

1 Wardroom Steward 52.11 52.11 

1 Wardroom Cook 47. 1 1 47. 1 1 

1 Steerage Steward 37. n 37. n 

1 Steerage Cook 32.11 32.11 

1 Warrant Officers' Steward 37. 11 37. 11 

1 Warrant Officers' Cook 32.11 32.11 

1 Ship's Cook, 1st class 57. 11 57. 11 

2 Ship's Cooks, 2d class 42. 11 84. 22 

4 Ship's Cooks, 3d class 32.11 128.44 

5 Ship's Cooks, 4th class 25.00 125.00 

1 Baker, 1st class 47. 1 1 47. 1 1 

3 Bakers, 2d class 35-oo 105.00 

18 Mess Attendants 25.00 450.00 

42 Men Average monthly pay, $31.75 $1333.76 

GRAND TOTAL 

Total number of enlisted men 731 

The crew's wages for a month $21,678.29 

The crew's wages for a year $260, 139.48 

Average monthly pay per man $29.65 

Monthly ration money, at $9.00 per man . . . .$6,579.00 



NAVAL NOTES 

When at anchor, particularly in home ports, 
warships are accessible to visitors when practicable. 
Sunday afternoon is generally visiting day, and the 
visitors flock aboard by the thousands. The visit- 
ors are not satisfied until they have explored every 
nook and corner of the ship. Some would even 




-a 

o 
<u 



- 

zr. 

P 

Z 



Naval Notes 175 

walk into the captain's cabin to see what kind of 
breakfast food he used if the orderly did not stop 
them. 

The interior of the ship is all metal, and when it 
is first painted, a final coat of sticky paint is used. 
Before this coat dries ground bits of cork are 
sprayed over it, which prevents the parts so treated 
from sweating. Only the living quarters are treated 
with this process. All pipes about the ship are 
covered with felt or asbestos. 

If a recruit was ordered to take the jackasses out 
of the manger he would think some one was jolly- 
ing him. Some ships have sections of rubber that 
fit over the anchor chain links ; one end is tapered 
and when drawn into the hawse pipe they form a 
tight joint which keeps out the sea water. These 
sections of rubber are called jackasses. Some of the 
older type of ships have a partition extending across 
the hawse pipes ; the space in front of this partition is 
called the manger, and when the order is given "take the 
jackasses out of the manger," it is strictly regula- 
tion. 

Among the many illustrations in this book is one 
of the Naval Y. M. C. A. building at Brooklyn, 
N. Y. This building cost half a million dollars 



1 76 The American Battleship in Commission 

and is for the exclusive use of navy men. Here 
Jack can "drop anchor" when ashore and feel that 
he is at home. This building contains several hun- 
dred rooms, bowling alleys, roof garden, restaurant, 
shooting gallery, library, and swimming pool. The 
place is well patronized and highly appreciated by 
the enlisted men. There are a number of these 
institutions throughout this country, and the good 
they accomplish can hardly be estimated. 

Located about the lower decks are several leak- 
stopper boxes which contain a set of canvas cov- 
ered plugs of assorted sizes. In time of battle, 
should a shell penetrate the ship's side, a plug 
would be quickly inserted and secured with a special 
clamping device. These stoppers are filled with 
cellulose, and when wet the cellulose swells, thus 
closing the hole. 

When the ship has reached her anchorage spot 
the engines are reversed, and when she commences 
to move astern the anchor is ordered dropped. 
The leadsman allows the lead to rest on the bot- 
tom, and as the ship moves astern, the lead line 
drags through his hand, and he then cries out to 
the officer-of-the-deck, "Ship moving astern, sir!" 
This same method is used during stormy weather 
to ascertain whether the ship is dragging her 
anchor. 



Naval Notes l 77 

The temperatures of the magazines are taken daily. 
All magazines contain thermostats, which are elec- 
trical devices for ringing an alarm when the tempera- 
ture is rising. The alarm bell rings on deck, and 
by referring to the dial board the exact location can 
be ascertained. Coal bunkers are also equipped with 
thermostats. 

Officers use the starboard gangway in going to and 
from the ship; the crew use the port gangway. In 
returning aboard after taps, in a shore boat, an officer 
would reply "aye, aye," when hailed from the ship; 
an enlisted man would reply "hello ;" should it be the 
captain, he would answer the name of the ship. All 
boats approaching the ship after taps are hailed by the 
sentries or quartermaster on watch. 

When in fleet formation each ship has a speed 
cone displayed from the signal yard. When hauled 
all the way up it signifies " engines are going full 
speed ahead ;" when half way, •' half speed ;" when 
quarter way, "quarter speed." Should the cone 
not be displayed, the engines are stopped. Should 
the engines be reversing, the cone is reversed and 
hoisted as above. This system enables the admirals 
and captains of the fleet to keep posted regarding 
the movements of the ships. Two cones are used 



1 78 The American Battleship in Commission 

for twin screw vessels, each indicating the move- 
ments of one engine. 

Warships carry one or two barbers who hold the 
rate of ordinary seamen. They charge each mem- 
ber of the crew about fifty cents per month for all 
tonsorial work needed during that period. The 
majority of the "hot air " aboard ship originates 
from the vicinity of the barber shop. 

During a big storm oil is sometimes used with 
good effect to deaden the seas. An oil bag, which 
is secured with a stout line, is filled with oil and 
thrown overboard. The continual swashing about 
causes the oil to ooze out, and when it comes in 
contact with the water it quickly spreads over a 
large area, thus helping to deaden the seas. 

Members of the crew take great pride in showing 
visitors about the ship. Nothing offends a blue- 
jacket more than to have a visitor whom he has 
been conducting about the ship insist on offering 
money for his services. Some may accept a cigar 
as an act of courtesy, but nothing more. Should a 
bluejacket accept any money, and his shipmates 
learn of the fact, he would get a strong rebuke. 

The rate of apprentice is now abolished. First- 
class apprentices in the service at the time, were 






Naval Notes 1 79 

rated seamen, and given a three dollar increase in 
pay ; second-class apprentices were rated ordinary 
seamen, and given a four dollar increase; third-class 
apprentices were rated apprentice seamen, and 
given a seven dollar increase. At the same time, 
the rate of landsmen was abolished. Landsmen 
are now enlisted and known as apprentice seamen. 

The crew mess at swinging tables. After meals 
all mess gear is cleaned and restowed, and the 
tables and benches are secured overhead. At night 
the hammocks swing under these tables; hence 
Jack sleeps over where he eats and eats under where 
he sleeps. 

Naval officers, from captain to ensign, wear the 
following gold stripes on their sleeves: captain, 
four stripes ; commander, three stripes ; lieutenant- 
commander, two and one-half stripes; lieutenant, 
senior grade, two stripes; lieutenant, junior grade, 
one and one-half stripes; ensign, one stripe. 

When an ex-bluejacket, with an honorable dis- 
charge, registers at any navy yard for employment, 
his name is entered on the eligible list ahead of all 
others. In taking a Civil Service examination a 
certain percentage is allowed for an honorable dis- 
charge. 



i8o The American Battleship in Commission 

Should a shipmate die, his^ bag of clothes is sold 
at auction. Were his folks poor and the crew- 
aware of the fact, the clothes would often net sev- 
eral hundred dollars, and the money derived from 
the sale is sent to the parents of the deceased. 

Uncle Sam's warships are always welcomed in 
foreign ports. This is due principally to the fact 
that Jack is well paid and is of a liberal disposition, 
and spends much money. Merchants of all classes 
receive a share of it. 

When Jack begins to imagine that he is getting 
tired of sea life he commences to talk about farm- 
ing, a " chicken ranch" being the favorite theme. 
Some do start one, but this kind of life soon gets 
monotonous, and they sell out for whatever price 
they can get and go to sea again. 

The ship's bell is struck every half hour. At 
four, eight, and twelve o'clock, eight bells are 
struck. Every half hour after these three periods, 
the bell is struck, commencing with one bell, until 
eight bells are reached, it then being four, eight, or 
twelve o'clock, as the case may be. 

During war time the ships are painted a war 
color, which is a dark green or slate. It is quite 



Naval Notes 181 

difficult to discern from a distance a ship painted 
war color. 

Should a member of the crew urgently need 
money before the regular pay day, it can be ob- 
tained by applying for a special money requisition, 
which must be approved by the captain before the 
money can be drawn. 

When a man-o'-war arrives in a foreign port there 
is a great scramble among the "bumboat" men to come 
aboard with their wares to sell to the crew. A great 
mixture of languages is used in buying and selling; 
should a Chinaman be selling, he would talk "pidgin" 
English ; Jack would reply likewise. 

Several of the ship's boats have a gun-mount 
platform at the bow. In case a landing or board- 
ing party is sent away from the ship, the machine guns 
are mounted on these platforms. 

The larger type of ships is equipped with the wire- 
less telegraph. Electricians are especially trained at 
the electrical school to make them proficient with the 
wireless system. This system was of great value during 
the Russian- Japanese war. 



1 82 The American Battleship in Commission 

A hang fire pertains to a loaded gun which has 
failed to go off after the firing lanyard or trigger 
has been pulled. Great caution is exercised in 
opening the breech-plug. On the large caliber 
guns the breech-plug is not allowed to be opened 
until several minutes have elapsed. 

Smokeless powder is tested regularly, for the 
gun sights are regulated according to weight and 
strength of the powder charge used. This powder 
is sometimes returned to the powder works, where 
it is reduced, for smokeless powder increases in 
strength as it grows older. 

The lower decks are of steel. Extra heavy lino- 
leum, which is kept well shellaced at all times, is 
laid on these decks. 

Bag inspection is often held. Jack " breaks 
out" his bag of clothes and takes them to quarters, 
where his division officer inspects them. All 
clothes must be strictly regulation, and each mem- 
ber of the crew must have a certain amount of 
wearing apparel. 

The little gunboat Petrel, which was with Ad- 
miral Dewey's fleet at Manila Bay, is called the 
"baby battleship. 1 ' She is under nine hundred 



Naval Notes 183 

tons displacement. Her main battery consists of 
four six-inch guns. 

Officers and enlisted men salute as they step 
aboard a warship. Should the officer-of-the-deck 
be at hand he returns the salute ; otherwise Old 
Glory silently approves. 

All " gingerbread work" about the ship, such as 
the bridge and pilot-house, could be shot away in 
time of battle and its loss would not impair the 
ship's usefulness as long as the machinery, maga- 
zines, and steering-gear remain intact. Several 
spare sets of steering-gear are located in different 
parts of the ship. 

Target practice is sometimes held at night. The 
search lights are trained on the target as the ships 
speed past it, and the gunpointers aim and fire the 
guns as though it were day. 

When a man deserts from the navy, his nearest 
of kin are generally notified ; also the authorities of 
his home town. A deserter forfeits his rights of 
citizenship. 

All ships throughout the world carry a set of in- 
ternational signals, which enable them to communi- 
cate with each other. 



1 84 The American Battleship in Commission 

When a good conduct medal is presented to an 
enlisted man, he is called to the front at muster, and 
generally the captain pins it on the owner's breast 
accompanied by an appropriate remark. 

Some of the foreign navies have torpedo booms 
attached to their ships. These booms consist of a 
series of poles that can be extended from the sides. 
A large steel net is attached to the outer ends and 
protects the ship from torpedo attacks while at 
anchor. None are in use on our ships, as their use- 
fulness is in doubt. 

Warships carry a complete diving outfit to enable 
divers to examine the rudder, propellers, and 
strainers. Gunner's mates do the diving, and they 
are allowed extra pay for this work. 

Each ship has a bulletin board, where all informa- 
tion concerning the crew is posted. 

When powder is being handled the powder flag 
is hoisted at the foremast. No one aboard is 
allowed to smoke during this time. 

Many of the large ships carry chaplains, and 
while services are being held the church flag is 
hoisted in a conspicuous place. 



Naval Notes 185 

A mascot in the form of some tame animal is 
usually carried. The Kentucky had a large bear, 
which would growl when poked in the ribs. When 
visiting bluejackets came aboard it was great fun to 
see them pet the bear. Suddenly, one of the crew 
would poke Bruin in the ribs and he would give an 
awful roar, and the stranger petting him would run 
for the rigging. 

The use of sulphur matches is forbidden, only 
safety matches in small boxes being used. Gasoline 
is also forbidden to be carried aboard ship. 

The decks are swept regularly each day. When 
at sea one would wonder where the dust comes 
from. 

Many foreign navies have a conscript law, which 
compels their subjects to serve in the navy. All 
men in the different services of the United States 
enlist of their own volition, and their pay, clothing, 
etc., are unequaled. 

When a warship enters a foreign port, she fires a 
salute in honor of the nation to which the port 
belongs. The salute is returned by the nation 
saluted. Should a fleet enter the port together, 
the senior ship does the saluting. 



1 86 The American Battleship in Commission 

Should an enlisted man die at sea, his body is 
sewed in canvas by the sailmaker's mate, and at 
the feet a heavy weight of iron is attached. The 
ship is hove to during the burial, and the colors 
lowered at half mast. Burial services are conducted 
by the captain or chaplain, and at the conclusion 
of the services the body is committed to the deep. 
The firing squad fires three volleys in honor of their 
departed comrade, and the ship then proceeds on her 
journey. 

The engineer on watch seldom leaves the vicinity 
of the throttle valve. Should the propeller drop 
off, or any other accident happen to the machinery, 
the steam must be shut off promptly in order to 
prevent a more serious accident. 

Slabs of zinc are placed inside the boilers regu- 
larly. The corrosive elements of the water attack 
the zinc first, thus protecting the interior of the 
boilers. Rudder pivots and strainers on the outer 
bottom also have small pieces of zinc placed around 
them to prevent corrosion. 

When the feed-water supply for the boilers is 
getting short it is sometimes mixed with salt water. 
This is seldom necessary, however, for there are 
many facilities for making and stowing fresh water. 



Naval Notes 187 

While forced draft is being used the fire rooms 
are tightly closed. The blowers discharge the air 
into the fire rooms, where it makes its exit through 
the ash pits, up through the furnaces, and out 
through the smokestacks. This gives the fires an 
intense draft. 

Should a ship with twin screws have her rudder 
disabled at sea, she could steam into port by steer- 
ing with her propellers. One screw revolving faster 
than the other would swing the ship's bow accord- 
ingly. 

The term fi indicated horse-power M signifies the 
actual horse-power developed at the trial trip. In 
most instances the horse-power developed exceeds 
the amount specified in the contract, for an excess 
of horse-power insures more speed. 

Engines and fire rooms are kept neat at all times. 
Each member of the engineer's department has a 
station to keep clean. Visitors always admire the 
neatness displayed in this department. 

The ship has reserve coal bunkers which contain 
a few hundred tons of reserve coal which is not car- 
ried on the regular coal account. Should anything 
happen to the regular supply, the reserve coal 
would come in handy. 



1 88 The American Battleship in Commission 

Each ship is equipped with a powerful anchor en- 
gine, which is quite essential, for should the ship run 
aground or the anchor get stuck in the mud, reserve 
power would be required for heaving purposes. 

Most of the main bearings of the engines contain 
hollow compartments, which are connected with a sys- 
tem of water pipes. When the engines are in motion 
running water circulates around these bearings, thus 
preventing them from becoming too hot. Salt water 
is used for circulating. 

The engineers of a twin screw ship, on watch, try 
to have both engines make the same number of revolu- 
tions. Should one engine revolve faster than the other, 
it causes the ship's bow to swing in the opposite direc- 
tion, which makes extra work for the helmsman. This 
retards the speed of the ship and also works the ship 
slightly off her course, making it quite dangerous when 
near shoals, etc. 

A midnight lunch is served to the men on watch 
in the engineer's department. Oatmeal is often put in 
the ice water, to prevent the men from getting cramps. 

An accurate account is kept of all shots fired 



Naval Notes 189 

from each gun. A rough limit regarding the num- 
ber of rounds that may be fired from a large caliber 
gun is placed on each type of gun. When the gun 
is well built and cared for, this limit is greatly ex- 
ceeded. 

When the ship is about to proceed to sea the 
large guns are drawn in the full length of their 
recoil and blocked. The turrets are also keyed to 
prevent them from rolling. 

When a bluejacket is transferred to another ship 
he is given a station billet, which has marked on it 
the owner's number and station at drills. 

In port an anchor watch, consisting of a few men, 
is detailed each night to be on duty in case their 
services are required. Should there be duties to 
perform in the night the rest of the crew would not 
be disturbed. 

Each warship and officer has a certain number. 
When signaling or corresponding, this number sys- 
tem facilitates matters. 

The ship's compass is near the steering-wheel on 
the bridge. The helmsman is always careful to 
have no metallic articles, such as keys or a knife, in 



190 The American Battleship in Commission 

his pocket, as they would act as magnets and cause 
the compass to deviate. 

Old rags are seldom cast overboard, for they are 
useful in shining bright work. 

The reading out of the mail aboard ship is quite an 
important event. 

Admiral George Dewey has seen over fifty-three 
years of naval service. 












MAN-O'-WAR YARNS 



SYNOPSIS 



The Wreck of the Yosemite. — Tomorrow is the Day 
After. — A Sinking Ship. — A Fowl Move. — A Perpetual 
Reward. — Ingenuity. — A Dry Ship. — Frenzied Finance. 
— Ah Choy. — Hiram's Letter. — Lost ; A Wardroom Cake. 
— Seagoing Smiles. — How to Tell the Weight of a 
Porker. — Tell It to a Marine. — A Personal Story. — An 
Old Salt's Salty Saltings. — A Valuable Curio. — Full 
Rations. — A Few Salty Riddles. — A Bear Story. 



MAN-O'-WAR YARNS 



IN traveling about, particularly in foreign ports, 
one may observe many odd incidents, comical 
and otherwise. Much knowledge is obtained 
in various ways, for there is nothing that educates 
one more than travel. A good idea of human 
nature is also obtained, because one observes life in 
its various and complicated phases. In many ports 
when the ship is at anchor, there are several squalid 
boats hovering around the ship to pick up the refuse 
thrown overboard. 

Should a whole slice of bread be cast overboard, 
it is carefully scooped up and laid out to dry. 
This slice of bread, with others, is taken ashore and 
sold to people who are unaccustomed to such 
luxuries. By having personal acquaintance with 
incidents of this nature, it reminds one of the value 
of home, and the day when a piece of bread and 
butter was resented unless it had a quarter-of-an- 
inch layer of " ma's jam M spread on it. 

During the period of my connection with the 



1 96 The American Battleship in Commission 

navy (at present, eight years), I have gained much 
knowledge of the world, which has always proved of 
great value to me. 

The sea is full of mystery, and the longer one fol- 
lows it, either as a means of livelihood or pleasure, 
the greater is his knowledge. Life on a man-o'- 
war is quite safe, owing to the fact that every pre- 
caution is taken to prevent accidents. 

I consider it quite appropriate to begin my yarns 
with the story of a shipwreck, which story is only 
too true. Were it not for the loss of my five ship- 
mates, I would take more pleasure in relating it. 

THE WRECK OF THE U. S. S. YOSEMITE 

At the time of this wreck, Guam was a lonesome 
place, as vessels called there irregularly, and but 
little was known of the island on account of its 
location. Transports and other vessels now call 
there regularly. 

Guam is the main island of the Marianas, or 
Ladrone group, which formerly belonged to Spain. 
When Magellan, the great explorer, discovered 
these islands, he landed at Guam to replenish his 
food and water supply. While there the natives 
purloined all the iron work they could lay their 
hands on. For this reason Magellan named the 
islands the Ladrones. 

The island is about thirty miles long and twelve 



Man-o'-War Yarns 197 

miles wide. Since the United States has had con- 
trol it has made great progress. 

In 1898, when the Charleston was ordered to 
Manila, Captain Glass, commanding officer of the 
Charleston, was ordered to capture Guam while en 
route. On entering the harbor the Charleston 
cleared ship for action. Subsequent events, how- 
ever, proved that the victory was to be a bloodless 
one. The inhabitants were ignorant of the fact 
that war existed between the two countries. 

Rumor has it that the Charleston fired a few 
shots, and the Governor of Guam, thinking it was 
a salute, paid an official visit to the ship and ten- 
dered his apologies for not being able to return the 
salute because he was out of powder. When in- 
formed that Guam was to be taken in the name of 
the United States he was greatly dismayed. Final 
arrangements, however, were made for the sur- 
render. All the Spanish subjects were taken to 
Manila and furnished transportation to Spain. 
Meanwhile, one of the natives who could speak 
English fluently was appointed temporary gov- 
ernor until Captain R. P. Leary arrived. The 
cruiser Yosemite brought Captain Leary to Guam 
and the ship was ordered to be detained there as 
station ship. 

The Yosemite was a converted cruiser of 6000 
tons displacement, 3800 horse-power, and her 



198 The American Battleship in Commission 

battery consisted of six five-inch guns and six six- 
pounders. 

San Luis de Apra is the main harbor, where the 
ships anchor. Agana, the capital, is seven miles 
distant. About two-thirds of the population live 
at Agana, where the palace and marine barracks are 
located. Running parallel with the harbor is a long 
continuous reef which acts as a natural breakwater. 

On the morning of November 13th, 1900, while 
the Yosemite was at anchor in this harbor, a terrific 
typhoon arose with such suddenness that the ship 
was unable to get steam in the main boilers and put 
to sea. Several of the ship's boats were away 
at the time and were signaled to return at once. 
These boats were hoisted and secured with the ex- 
ception of the steam launch. The wind and sea 
were now so strong that the launch was unable to 
approach the ship, and the officer-of-the-deck cried 
through the megaphone, " Beach the launch any- 
where and save your lives." The launch and her 
crew of five men were lost, for it was ground to 
pieces by the sharp coral beds. 

Our troubles were now beginning in earnest. 
The ship began to drag over the coral reefs toward 
Sumay, a small town facing the harbor. By this 
time steam was up in the main boilers, both anchors 
were out, and the main engine (she was a single- 
screw vessel) was going full speed ahead, yet the 



Man-o'-Waf Yarns 199 

ship kept on dragging, and there were several holes 
soon made in her bottom. 

A life-boat was lowered aud manned by a volun- 
teer crew ; this boat attempted to tow a small line 
to the beach with which a large hawser was to be 
hauled ashore. This would enable the crew to rig 
up a breeches-buoy, thus making it possible to 
abandon the ship, but the sharp coral reefs soon cut 
the line and the life-boat was ground to pieces as 
it neared the beach. Luckily the boat's crew es- 
caped with but slight injuries. 

The storm, which still increased in velocity, sud- 
denly shifted its course and caught the Yosemite 
off the starboard beam, forcing the ship out into 
deep water. 

The sick-bay was located on the forward berth 
deck. Upon reaching deep water the ship settled 
so rapidly that it was with great difficulty that the 
patients were removed in time to the wardroom. 
The ship's mascot, a black goat, happened to be in 
the sick-bay, but when the last man was removed 
the water rose with such rapidity that it was im- 
possible to rescue the goat. While the sick were 
being removed other members of the crew were 
closing the water-tight doors. Subsequent events 
proved that the closing of these doors saved the 
lives of the crew, for they confined the water, 
thus keeping the ship afloat. 



200 The American Battleship in Commission 

Before reaching the open sea, the Yosemite struck 
a rock stern first which carried away the rudder, 
snapped two blades off the propeller, and bent the 
rudder-shoe (into which the rudder rests) so badly 
that when the propeller revolved, the good blades 
would strike so that it could turn no farther. 

The ship was finally blown out of the harbor, 
and how she cleared the narrow entrance and 
reached the open sea will never be known. Should 
she have struck the main reef, the ship and her 
entire crew would have been lost. The wind and 
sea were terrible to behold ; the atmosphere was a 
mass of spray, and it was impossible to see more 
than fifty feet ahead. The life boats, vegetable 
lockers and other gear about the upper decks which 
had been well secured, were blown bodily off the ship. 

At this time there was but little water in the 
main and after holds, so the ship's stern was high 
in the air. Bulkheads were braced, bucket lines 
formed, and in fact everything was done to try and 
outlive the storm. 

No one aboard will ever forget that first night. 
At times the ship would flounder in the trough of 
the sea and roll on her very beam ends ; then she 
would stagger as if in doubt whether to come back 
on an even keel or not. Toward morning both 
main pumps broke down and the water began to 
gain rapidly in the main and after holds. 






Man-o'- War Yarns 2 o 1 

It was a difficult task to overhaul those huge 
pumps, because the engine room was in a horrible 
mess. On the upper gratings, over the engine 
room, were several oil tanks which were bolted to 
the bulkheads. During the early stages of the 
storm these tanks broke adrift and their contents 
were spilled over the pumps, machinery, and ladders 
below, making it dangerous to move about. 

After several hours of toil, the pumps were put 
in working order again and the water was lowered 
in the main and after holds. The Yosemite, being 
a converted cruiser, was equipped with only three 
traverse water-tight bulkheads which were of a 
flimsy nature. Nothing could be done with the 
forward hold, as one might as well attempt to pump 
the ocean dry. 

When daylight came we were in a sad predica- 
ment ; no rudder, the propeller useless, nearly all 
of the boats blown away, and the ship's back was 
gradually breaking. To make matters worse there 
were a large number of man-eating sharks hovering 
around the ship. 

At the foremast a large American flag was dis- 
played with the stars downward. In the navy, 
when the flag is thus reversed, it signifies distress, 
while in the merchant-marine service it is a signal 
for police assistance from shore. Throughout the 
night, rockets were fired with hopes of attracting help. 



202 The American Battleship in Commission 

All hands worked with that dogged determina- 
tion that is never found lacking in the navy, and 
later events demonstrated that the good work of 
both officers and crew kept the ship afloat long 
enough for all hands to be rescued. 

During the afternoon of the fourth day one of 
the lookout cried li Smoke-ho," and all hands 
rushed on deck in a body to see " Where away?" 
Sure enough, there was a small steamer hull down 
on the horizon ; she was steaming in the opposite 
direction, so all of our guns were loaded and fired 
simultaneously to attract her attention. Our ap- 
peal was answered for the steamer shifted her course 
and came to our rescue. What a welcome sight as 
she hove to off our starboard beam ! 

The steamer proved to be the naval collier Jus- 
tin, which was stationed at Guam with the Yosemite. 
At the time of the storm she was well laden with 
coal, thus only a small portion of the ship was ex- 
posed to the wind ; as it was, she dragged a long 
distance and narrowly escaped destruction. Cap- 
tain Seaton Shroeder, who was governor of Guam 
at the time, ordered the Justin to put to sea and 
look for us. 

The Justin now lowered her boats, and tow lines 
were run from ship to ship, but when a strain was 
put on them they snapped like twine. The Yose- 
mite by this time was settling low in the water. 



Man-o'-War Yarns 203 

When it commenced to get dark the word was 
passed " All hands abandon ship;" this time it was 
not a drill, it was a reality. The pay clerk, who 
was acting paymaster, stood at the boat davits and 
mustered the crew into the boats, and as each man's 
name was called he stepped forward and slid down 
the boat falls into the boats. When the boats were 
filled they were rowed over to the Justin where the 
men were transferred aboard. 

When the crew went aboard the Justin they lay 
about the iron decks, with a ring bolt or an anchor- 
chain link for a pillow and slept like children, for 
they realized that their troubles were over. The 
crew abandoned the ship with nothing but the 
clothes on their backs; 

The Yosemite remained afloat that night so the 

Justin stood by. Next morning the pay clerk went 

aboard and saved several thousand Mexican dollars. 

At three o'clock that afternoon the good ship 

Yosemite went down. 

She had been our home and all who witnessed her 
death struggle will say " It was a sad and solemn 
sight/' The ship began to stagger as though she 
was going to turn turtle; suddenly she steadied 
herself, then made three plunges ; at the third 
plunge she failed to recover and kept sinking by the 
bow until an angle of about forty-five degrees was 
reached, and then sank. 



204 The American Battleship in Commission 

The Justin returned to Guam, and the next day we 
entered the harbor and dropped anchor. A shore boat 
came off to the ship, bearing the sad news that the 
steam launch and her crew had been lost. 

The day before the storm Guam was a beautiful pic- 
ture of nature; but now all of the foliage had been 
turned to a yellowish color by the salt water which 
had blown ever it. Governor Schroeder had much to 
attend to ashore; several hundred native houses had 
been blown down, all the Government buildings were 
more or less damaged and many natives were drowned. 
All the food crops of the natives were destroyed, and 
the Government issued rations to them until new crops 
were planted and harvested and they were again able 
to care for themselves. 

When the Navy Department received the official re- 
ports of the wreck they were so pleased and gratified 
with the bravery and heroism displayed, that an official 
letter complimenting the officers and crew was for- 
warded to Guam. Upon its receipt Governor Schroeder 
read it to the members of the crew who were detained 
for shore duty. 

When a warship is lost through unavoidable circum- 
stances the Navy Department is always gratified to 
know that the crew is safe. The ship can be replaced 
with a newer and better one; this cannot be said of 
the men who lose their lives. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 205 

Had the Yosemite been out in the open sea, un- 
crippled, she would have conquered the typhoon. 

TOMORROW IS THE DAY AFTER. 

In December, 1903, the battleship and cruiser squad- 
ron of the Asiatic Fleet, with Admiral Evans in com- 
mand, left Yokohama for Honolulu. The fleet was 
composed of three battleships and four cruisers, the 
cruisers proceeding in a separate squadron. When we 
crossed the line (180th meridian) a comical incident 
occurred. Should you cross the line on Tuesday, en- 
route from Honolulu to Yokohama, the next day would 
be Thursday. In returning it is the reverse, for should 
you cross it on Friday the next day would be Friday 
also. A full day of twenty-four hours is not gained ; 
the amount of time gained is regulated by the distance 
traveled. The day of the week is altered to cause the 
date to fall on the same day of the week on both sides 
of the line. 

I was serving aboard the Oregon at the time, and 
in front of us were the battleships Wisconsin and 
Kentucky. The Kentucky, being the flagship, was in 
the lead. When the squadron crossed the line it was 
Sunday; naturally the next day was also Sunday. 
There was considerable work to be done aboard the 
Oregon at the time, so it was figured out (according 
to information furnished the crew) that we would not 
cross the line until Monday, which meant two working 



206 The American Battleship in Commission 

days. There were two Mondays all right, but only 
aboard the Oregon, for when we arrived at Honolulu 
we learned that the other ships had enjoyed two Sun- 
days. We were not out anything, however, as we had 
the regular Sunday. 

A SINKING SHIP. 

A few years ago when one of our small ships was 
on duty in Alaskan waters, a peculiar accident hap- 
pened to one of the coalpassers on watch. 

The floors of the coal bunkers of this ship were made 
of wood and being snugly fitted together were water- 
tight. The ship leaked a little, so the small space be- 
tween the flooring and the inner bottom of the ship 
gradually filled with water. 

A coalpasser went into the bunker to get out coal 
for the fires and in trying to break up a large lump of 
coal with a heavy bar he missed his aim and the bar 
crashed through the planking, causing the water to 
spurt up. He thought the bar had gone through the 
ship's bottom, so he rushed on deck to the Chief En- 
gineer's office and reported the ship sinking. The mat- 
ter was quickly investigated and it was found that only 
the confined water had come up through the aperture. 



A FOWL MOVE 

In 1899, during the Phillippine uprising, the gun- 




< -' 



Man-o'-war Yarns 207 

boats of the navy were cruising continually, helping to 
prevent filibustering and assisting the army in landing 
troops. I was serving aboard the Bennington the 
greater part of that year. During the latter part of 
'99 we were ordered to proceed to Lingayen Gulf (lo- 
cated on the West coast of the Island of Luzon) for 
patrol duty. Lingayen Gulf was more popularly 
known as "Hungry Man's Gulf" on account of the 
hard living during this period. 

Dagupan, a city located but a short distance from 
this Gulf, was in the possession of the insurgents, as 
was the main portion of the rolling stock of the Manila 
and Dagupan Railroad. 

Our orders were to steam two days a week in this 
vicinity. After being there awhile all delicacies such 
as sugar, flour and canned vegetables, began to run 
short, so the principal article left was the regulation 
hardtack. All ships rate a large drag net and ours was 
used by the crew in earnest as the fresh-meat boat did 
no visiting in those days. But few fish were caught 
because the place was infested with sharks which scare 
away the small fish. Every one aboard who could pro- 
duce a fishing line did so, but it seemed to be "If the 
fish don't bite you don't eat." 

During one of our periodical trips in the vicinity we 
hove to off a small island. It was noticed that several 
canoes were headed for the ship. When they came 



2o8 The American Battleship in Commission 

near we saw that they were loaded with chickens and 
fruit, and the owners were eagerly requested to come 
aboard and sell their goods. The wardroom steward 
was "on deck" first and purchased all the chickens. 
The queerest part of this transaction was that the poor 
natives desired old clothes instead of money for their 
goods and when this fact was learned there was a 
great scurrying about to scare up old clothes with 
which to make purchases from the natives. The ward- 
room officers decided to keep the chickens alive until 
Sunday, so a temporary chicken coop was rigged on 
deck and the fowls put into it. 

In the forward fire room of the Bennington a con- 
spiracy was formed by the firemen and coalpassers on 
watch. One dark night about 2 :oo A. M., a successful 
raid was made on the coop. It was only a few min- 
utes work to scald, clean and prepare the ex-wardroom 
chickens for the grill. A coal shovel was wiped clean 
and the chickens were carefully laid on it with navy 
butter spread over them ; the shovel was held over the 
hot coals by willing hands and soon there was a royal 
chicken feast deep down in the bowels of the ship. 

When the wardroom officers discovered their loss 
they held a preliminary court of inquiry. The verdict 
was "The chickens yet left in the coop were worth 
treble the absentees." 



Man-o'-war Yarns 209 

A PERPETUAL REWARD. 

A certain marine officer when on shore duty in charge 
of a body of marines had quite an ingenious system for 
studying human nature. Office hours are held about 
ten o'clock every morning and all marines on the report 
for offences committed are brought before the com- 
manding officer to have their cases investigated. As 
a rule these offences are of a petty nature and when 
the offenders are brought before the commanding offi- 
cer they put up the most ingenious defenses ever 
known. The punishment is generally fatigue duty, 
which means that the offender must perform extra 
work about the barracks while the rest of the marines 
are at leisure. Many old-time marines claim that work 
is a lost art with them, so extra duty is not welcomed. 

The first thing this commanding officer did upon en- 
tering his office in the morning was to take out of his 
pocket book a crisp five dollar bill, straighten out the 
kinks and lay it on the edge of his desk. One-half of 
the bill hung over the edge of the desk so that the "V" 
could be plainly seen and a heavy paper weight was 
used to secure it. 

The court was then in session and as each offender 
was brought in, the commanding officer pointed to the 
five dollar bill hanging so conspicuously on his desk 
and said to the offender, "You see that five dollar bill 



210 The American Battleship in Commission 

on my desk? Well, that's for the man who can tell 
me a story I never heard before." 

Many a marine had spent a sleepless night scheming 
up some new yarn, yet the bill remained a permanent 
fixture. When the commanding officer was told a 
story that he had never heard he would laugh and ex- 
claim, "Why my good man ! I heard that story twenty- 
five years ago." If the story was an original one the 
off ender generally escaped punishment. 

Bill Johnson, the leading boaster of the barracks, 
often boasted to his chums that he would win the prize. 
Shortly after pay day Bill became tangled up with 
some tanglefoot and was locked in the guard house for 
safe keeping. The next morning, Bill was brought 
before the commanding officer at the regular time. 
After being introduced to the "V" and charged with 
being top heavy, Bill, who was quite a sea-lawyer, put 
up the following defense : 

"We got paid yesterday, sir, and when I came off 
guard last night I started down town to see the moon- 
light ascension of Professor Aguadientes' airship. It 
seems my watch was wrong, sir, as I arrived too late. I 
then decided to return home, when all of a sudden I 
was knocked down and I looked up to see what had 
struck me and there was the airship passing over my 
head. It seems that some one in the airship was dis- 
tributing bags of sand on the heads of pedestrians in 



Man-o'-war Yarns 2 1 r 

order to lighten it. It was my misfortune to be struck 
iwith two of them and the second one put me out of 
commission, for I remembered no more until I woke 
up this morning in the guard house." 

The commanding officer, who had never heard such 
a plausible story before, gave a few outbursts of 
laughter and exclaimed, "Why my good man ! I heard 
that story twenty-five years ago; I'll let you go this 
time but don't do it again." 

Bill was in great distress as he thought he had won 
the prize. Suddenly he was seized with an idea ; look- 
ing straight into the eyes of the commanding officer 
he exclaimed, "Airships were not in commission twen- 
ty-five years ago." 

Bill is the hero of the camp — he won the prize. 

INGENUITY 

The collier Brutus was manned by a naval crew for 
a long period. The Brutus, being a collier, did not 
rate a steam launch. Often the ship lay far off shore 
and when any one went ashore there was a hard pull 
ahead for the dinghey's crew. The members of the en- 
gineers department converted the ship's dinghey into 
a steam launch. On board the Brutus was an old 
Whitehead torpedo engine, and with the help of a large 
sheet of steel, piping, and other necessary material, a 
serviceable boiler was manufactured, also a propeller. 



212 The American Battleship in Commission 

The dinghey was fitted up to receive the machinery and 
when completed the trial trip took place. 

A dinghey is the smallest boat carried aboard ship 
so the launch's capacity was somewhat limited. At the 
trial trip the launch could make five knots under forced 
draft, four knots being the maximum speed under nor- 
mal conditions. 

The launch proved a success since she saved the crew 
much manual labor. The coxswain of the boat was a 
ship's company by himself; he was captain, engineer, 
fireman, and deck hand. 

A torpedo engine runs in only one direction, so all 
eccentrics, valves and reversing levers were missing. 
When the coxswain, etc., etc., wished to get under way, 
steam was turned on, the coxswain then leaned over 
the stern and gave the propeller a turn to start the 
engine in motion. Upon making a landing great sea- 
manship was displayed because the engine had to be 
stopped at a certain distance from the landing as it 
could not be reversed. A small hand pump was used 
to supply the boiler with feed water. 

A DRY SHIP 

Characters 
Admiral Twostars. 
Captain Save'm. 
Cabin Steward. 
Cabin Boy. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 2 1 3 

Captain: "Steward, the Admiral is coming to visit 
me today and as there is no champagne in stock (he 
never did have any), I've gotten up this little scheme. 
When I invite the Admiral into the cabin I'll ring the 
bell and order a nice quart of Mumm's put on ice, you 
will take the order and return in a couple minutes and 
reply 'Captain, I'm very sorry to report that we are all 
out of champagne, there's some nice Pabst beer left.' 
In reply, I will reprimand you (make believe) for be- 
ing negligent." 

Admiral (who has just arrived aboard) : "How-do- 
you-do, Captain, your ship is looking spick and span. 
It is quite warm today. Yes, it must be cooler in your 
cabin." 

Captain (invites the Admiral into the cabin) : "It is 
the warmest day I have experienced on this station, 
Admiral. Why, even the pitch in the deck seams is 
melting. (Captain rings bell and Steward enters). 
Steward, put a quart of Mumm's on ice right away, the 
Admiral's stay is limited." 

Steward (entering a couple minutes later) : "Cap- 
tain, I'm very sorry to report that we are just out of 
champagne ; I ordered some yesterday, sir, and it has 
not arrived aboard yet. There's some nice Pabst beer 
on ice." 

Captain (making a grand stand) : "No more cham- 
pagne left? What became of that case I purchased 



214 The American Battleship in Commission 

two weeks ago? I'm going to disrate you for incom- 
petency ; here I have a distinguished guest for company 
and you make such a report as that? Get out of here 
and send the cabin boy in." 

Admiral (who doesn't tumble) : "Oh, that's all 
right Captain, I would just as soon have a glass of 
beer, mistakes will happen you know. That reminds 
me of a little story: When my dad went fishing he 
always took along a little jug that was marked 'Bait'. 
One day when dad went to town, I played 'hookey' 
and went fishing. I took dad's jug along and when I 
went to bait my hook I found that the jug contained 
hard cider." 

Captain (boy enters as Captain is laughing at joke) : 
"Boy, bring in a couple bottles of beer right away." 

(As the Admiral leaves the ship, Captain sighs and 
murmurs, "I've just saved three dollars.") 

FRENZIED FINANCE 

I mentioned in the article entitled Naval Notes that 
when a sailor begins to imagine he is getting tired of 
the sea he talks about starting a chicken ranch or a 
farm. Having had some experience in that line I shall 
proceed to relate it. 

After being shipwrecked on the cruiser Yosemite I 
was detained ashore at Guam for shore duty. One of 
the bluejackets there owned a piece of land on a small 




fc >> 



Man-o'-war Yarns 2 1 5 

hill which overlooked the town, and as this bluejacket 
was going home soon he sold the land to me for a 
nominal sum. I purchased the land with the intention 
of starting a chicken ranch which I did to my sorrow. 

I put the chicken ranch in commission with a com- 
plement of sixty chickens and my troubles and misfor- 
tunes then commenced in earnest. St. Patrick must 
have visited Guam, for there are no snakes there, but 
there are many lizards about three feet in length which 
are capable of swallowing a young chicken without the 
least inconvenience. 

The lizards acquired the habit of visiting my hen 
house regularly and sucking every egg they could find. 
As I was unable to procure glass eggs I had to put up 
with the lizards. 

The hens would become greatly frightened at the 
appearance of these lizards and ere long they com- 
menced to lay in the brush, which made matters worse. 
Whenever an egg was laid the rats would eat it, and I 
thought the hens had quit laying. One of my shipmates 
advised me to feed them cooked meat which was a 
great egg producer, so I therefore changed the diet of 
the chickens. 

The paymaster's store rooms wear near my place 
and whenever any tinned meats were condemned I 
managed to get some of it to feed my fowls. When the 
chickens were fed on tinned meats the results were 



216 The American Battleship in Commission 

magical ; the hens even laid while they were roosting 
In the trees at night. Yet the early bird got the worm, 
for should I be on hand before the lizards or rats I 
would get my share of the eggs. This state of affairs 
was too good to last as some kind of chicken disease 
broke out among my flock and many died. Those that 
survived quit laying, so I sold the remainder for what 
I could get and later on, when I returned home, I re- 
enlisted aboard the Oregon. 

About two years after the failure of the chicken 
ranch, Guam was visited by a terrific earthquake which 
did considerable damage to the island. Many claim 
the island rose six inches out of the water as a result 
of the earthquake. 

My shipmates aboard the Oregon used to make fun 
of the land I owned in Guam by saying that they 
"would not give seven dollars for the whole Island." 
I, in return, would demonstrate to them how my land 
had gone up (in inches) during my absence. 

ah CHOY 

Ah Choy, mess attendant first-class, had often heard 
how easy it was to be placed on the sick-list and thereby 
be excused from all work. One day Ah Choy decided 
to take a trial. Promptly at 8:30 next morning he 
reported to the doctor and exclaimed "Me cachee lum- 
eytism in left legee ; alle samee hurtee velly muchee." 



Man-o'-war Yarns 2 1 7 

The patient was put on the sick-list to enable the 
doctor to get the run of his case. Ah Choy was in his 
glory, as three meals a day, with nothing to do, just 
suited him, so he decided to remain on the sick-list until 
his enlistment expired. 

After enjoying the rest cure for about a week at 
Uncle Sam's expense, the doctor began to get suspi- 
cious, so a close watch was kept on Ah Choy. One day 
Ah Choy forgot himself and limped on the wrong leg. 
The next miorning the doctor had Ah Choy laid out 
on the operating table and "broke out" his amputating 
instruments. 

Upon sighting the highly polished knives and saws, 
Ah Choy turned deathly pale for he felt sure that they 
were going to amputate his leg. He could stand the 
suspense no longer so he jumped off the operating 
table and rushed on deck, crying "You no can cuttee 
legee." Ah Choy is now a cured man. 

hiram's letter 

Unkle Sam's Battulship Independence, 
Oct. 9, nineteen hundred ort ate. 
Deer Ma and Pa: 

Well I do be a reel sailor at las. Ther doctur at ther 
reckrutin orfice looked me over right peart an said I 
wuz cut out to be a sailur. Thoze suspenders that 
Aunt Mirandy sint me be of no ust as weuns do not be 
alowed to ust them as we ust buttons insted. I askt a 



218 The American Battleship in Commission 

feller hear whut be ther best fer me to study up fer, 
an Admiral or Kaptin. He sez that a wize un like me 
oughter learn to be Kaptin of ther poop deck. 

This boat be four storys hi an ther floors are not 
painted. Gee ! Ma, its hard wurk scrubbin thoze floors 
with san an kanvas. I wuz much scairt las nite fer 
when I wint to git in mi hammuck I felled out. A feller 
sez git a hammuck ladder which I did. When I wint 
to sleap I dreamt Pa's mule wuz chasin me an I felled 
out an waked up. Ther cook sez if I'll help peal spuds 
he'll give me sum pie checks. 

I nerely broked mi neck yist'dy as I wuz goin up 
stairs I slipt an I don't ketch ther banister in time so I 
hit ther floor with a whing. I wuz out in a reel boat 
the other da an I dident git sea sick one bit. Oh, ma, 
tell me ther best way to git dirt out uv durty close 
[without washin em ; mine gits durty orful eazy. 

When I gits to sea I'm gorn to shoot them big guns 
you hearn tell about. Gee whilikens ! youz oughter see 
one of 'em ripsnorters they be as big as Henry Haw- 
kin's winmill. We don't hev any lamp lites hear like 
we hev at hoam, all lites hear tun on an orf. I tried 
to blow one out but a feller sez turn it out an I did. 
Don't tell enny one I'm gorn to be Kaptin uv ther poop 
deck as I wanter cum hoam an surprize em. 

I'll klose fer this time, reckonin you all be ther same. 
Your lovin son, 

Hiram. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 2 1 g 

P. S. Ask Mary Brown if she thinks sum moar uv me 
when I gits to be Kaptin. H. 

LOST — A WARDROOM CAKE. 

When the armored cruiser New York was on a cer- 
tain cruise, the wardroom steward made a delicious 
cake. The ship had been at sea several days so cake 
was quite a treat. As the cook was somewhat late in 
making the cake, it was set in the pantry air port to cool. 

One of the ship's electricians happened to be repair- 
ing a fan in the pantry at the time and the instant he 
set his eyes on the cake his appetite got the best of his 
conscience. Repairing the fan as quickly as possible, 
he went on deck and hunted up his chum who was an 
A. B. (seaman). 

A conspiracy was soon formed with the innocent 
cake as the "key" to the plot. The wardroom officers 
do not dine until about 7 :oo P. M., so it was quite dark 
on deck. The two conspirators procured a short line 
and headed for that part of the ship directly over the 
pantry air port where the cake was cooling. 

A bow T line was soon rigged and the A. B. was low- 
ered over the ship's side. As luck would have it, the 
pantry force was busy with the first course of the even- 
ing meal, so it took only a fraction of a minute to cap- 
ture the cake. Should the line have slipped or broken, 
the cry of "man overboard" would have been heard. 



220 The American Battleship in Commission 

A wardroom cake is not to be had every day so the 
thought of danger was not considered as long as the 
raid proved a success. 

The A. B. took both cake and pan forward and hid 
them and the conspirators agreed to meet when the 
mid-watch was called, and eat the cake. When the 
steward went to get the cake for the dessert it was not 
to be found. He was so sure that no one had entered 
the pantry that he at once decided it had rolled over- 
board. All the steward got for his pains was a rebuke 
from the wardroom mess officers for being careless in 
not "securing the cake for sea." 

SEAGOING SMILES. 

SEAMAN, SIR 

Pat (heaving the lead for the first time) : "He-e-e-e- 
haw, h — a — w — he." 

Officer (from the bridge) : "What's the matter 
there? Don't you know how to read the lead line 
yet?" 

Pat: "Oi knows the tune of it, sir; bye and bye 
Oi'll lurn the wurrds." 

A NEW HAND 

Recruit : "Well, I reckon you can tell me where the 
ship's cook be at." 



Man-o'-war Yarns 22 1 

Old-timer: "Sure, Johnny, you'll find him down in 
the forward magazine frying fish." 

CHEAP 

Bill : "Gee ! I'd like to be a pilot, they get three hun- 
dred a month. ,, 

Pete : "Funny world, this, I always pays a nickel to 
pilot a schooner across the bar." 

DREAMING 

Master-at-Arms (waking over-sleeping bluejacket) : 
"Hey there ! Wake up, it's after reveille." 

Bluejacket (who is dreaming) : "I don't want any 
breakfast, ma." 

WELL POSTED 

Recruiting officer : "So you would like to enlist as a 
bandsman ?" 

Italian Musician : "Yes, sir, me lika." 

Recruiting officer: "Who is the greatest man in 
America ?" 

Italian Musician : "Gorga da Wash." 

Recruiting Officer: "You'll do." 

OUT OF COMMISSION 

Stormy : "Say, Mike, what must a man be to rate a 
military funeral?" 

Mike : "You got me, I don't know." 
Stormy: "He must be dead." 



222 The American Battleship in Commission 

CANNIBALS 

Little Child (who has been visiting a warship with 
its mamma at meal-time) : "Oh, mamma!" 

Mamma: "What is it dear?" 

Little Child : "Ain't it funny, the sailors eat just like 
we do." 

EXTRA STARS 

Recruit (to paymaster of flagship) : "Why are 
there fifteen buttons on my trousers?" 

Paymaster: "Don't you know Americas first flag 
contained thirteen stars?" 

Recruit: "Where do the extra two come in at?" 

Paymaster: "Oh, they represent the stars in the 
Admiral's flag." 

CANTEEN RESTORED 

Jack: "Say Bill, what do you think? There's a 
doctor in Germany who got up a pill that will turn a 
glass of water into beer." 

Bill (greatly excited) : "What's his address?" 

A DEEP DRAUGHT 

Captain (joking Naval Constructor) : "I draw 
twice as much water as you do." 

Naval Constructor: "If I put you in dry dock you 
won't draw any." 




Race-boat and Crew, U. S. S. Illinois. Note the graceful lines of the boat, and 

the muscles of her crew. 



Copyright. 1905, by Enrique }Ju]U-r. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 223 

ON DUTY 

Foreign Monarch (admiring thirteen-inch guns) : 
"How do those big guns work, Admiral?" 

Admiral: "I could show you better when they are 
in action." 

STORMS AHEAD 

Jack (to "Tattooed Jimmy," who is a "short timer" 
and intends to get married) : "Going to reenlist, 
Jimmy?" 

Tattooed Jimmy: "Sure, Jack, on the matrimony 



sea." 



RELIGIOUS 



Chaplain: "Your face is not familiar at church my 
good man." 

Unreformed Sailor : "I practice my religion every 
moning before breakfast." 

Chaplain: "I do not understand your meaning." 

Unreformed Sailor: "It's me that works the holy- 
stone on deck." 

A LEG BAROMETER 

Naval Doctor: "You should not be so anxious for 
a discharge; your rheumatism is improving wonder- 
fully of late." 

Rheumatic Patient : "I've been offered a good billet 



224 The American Battleship in Commission 

in a weather bureau, sir, and my leg will help me to 
keep the job." 

Naval Doctor: "Very well, I'll recommend you for 

a discharge." 

LIQUID REFRESHMENTS 

Old Lady (pointing to Jack's canteen) : "What do 

you carry in that thing?" 
Jack : "We carry water in the canteen, ma'am." 
Old Lady : "Well I do declare ! That must be the 

canteen question I hear so much about." 

MONEYMAKER 

Hickey: "Next enlistment, Windy, I'm going to 
ship over as a baker." 

Windy: "You are foolish, you can draw more 
money than a baker." 

Hickey : "A baker makes more dough." 

POOR SOUP 

Officer (sampling contents of pot) : "How dare you 
issue such soup as that to the crew ?" 

Ship's Cook (who was about to dump contents into 
ash-chute) : "This is not soup, sir, it is the dish wa- 
ter." 

AIRY SAILORS 

Submarine Jack: "Say, Willie, Uncle Sam's going 



Man-o'-war Yarns 225 

to put submarine and torpedo boat sailors on that new 
airship that's about to be commissioned/' 

Torpedo Boat Willie: "I knew that a month ago; 
I'm studying for a good billet on her." 

Submarine Jack : "What you going to be, a ballast 
shifter?" 

Torpedo Boat Willie : "Why, no, Fm studying up 
to be a sky pilot." 

LIGHTNING CALCULATOR 

Division Officer (to recruit) : "What weight pro- 
jectile does a six-pounded gun fire?" 

Rookie (who is in doubt) : "I believe eleven 
pounds, sir." 

Division Officer : "You are wrong. What's the dif- 
ference between a pound of feathers and a pound of 
lead?" 

Rookie (who tumbles) : "A six-pounder gun fires 
a six-pound shell." 

NO TEETH, NO MUSIC 

On a certain ship we had an elderly bugler who was 
very fond of his tea and when on shore leave it was a 
matter of conjecture as to whether he would return on 
time. As this ship rated but one bugler his services 
were in regular demand. To make matters worse, 
Jack had a set of false teeth and when on liberty, he 
was in the habit of leaving them ashore and the re- 



226 The American Battleship in Commission 

suit was that we had no music until the teeth were 
found or a new set purchased. 

Finally things came to such a pass that Jack left his 
teeth aboard before going ashore, for he figured that a 
set of teeth in the mouth was worth twenty at the den- 
tist's. 

A CONTRABAND VISITOR 

Shortly after the battle of Manila Bay the cruiser 
Baltimore came to Hong Kong to dock and give the 
crew shore leave, after several months of strenuous 
duty. Most of the crew were "short timers," so they 
purchased many curios for the purpose of taking them 
home. One of the bluejackets returned aboard with a 
small Chinese dog under his arm. As he stepped 
aboard, the officer-of-the-deck stopped him, as the 
regulations do not allow dogs of any kind aboard 
without special permission. 

The sailor did not know what to do, for he was or- 
dered to send the dog ashore. Suddenly he picked up 
the puppy and took it down the gangway as if he were 
going to give it to the shore boat-man who had brought 
him off to the ship. When he was out of the officer's 
sight he opened his blouse, dropped the puppy in, step- 
ped aboard the ship and walked forward. When he 
got forward he hid the puppy; a few weeks later we 
returned to Manila — the puppy went too. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 227 

SHOW ME 

While one of our battleships was in dry dock a 
farmer happened to pass by, and having never seen a 
warship before, he asked a bluejacket what those two 
[windmills (meaning the propellers) were for. 

Jack answered, "Why them's fans which keep the 
rudder cool." 

The farmer did not seem quite satisfied with the ex- 
planation, so he asked what moved the ship. 

"The rudder, of course," replied Jack. 

"stand by the pic." 

While the Oregon lay at anchor off Yokohama, 
Japan, a few months before the Russian-Japanese 
war, we had a drill known as abandon ship. When 
the word is passed "All hands abandon ship," each 
member of the crew performs his allotted duty. Pro- 
visions, water, etc., are brought to the boats and the 
men detailed to them muster in front of their respect- 
ive boat. 

There was an Italian bandsman aboard named Joe, 
who played the piccolo, and during the drill he seemed 
bewildered, as he wandered about with the piccolo in 
his hand. His division officer noticed him and in- 
quired what his duties were when abandoning ship. 
Joe seemed to understand his duties quite well for he 
answered, "Me stand by the pic." 



228 The American Battleship in Commission 

HOW TO TELL THE WEIGHT OF A PORKER 

After the wreck of the Yosemite the crew, which 
were saved, were brought back to Guam and sent to 
Agana, the capitol. Shortly afterward the Solace came 
in and took them to Manila, where they were distrib- 
uted among the ships of the Asiatic Fleet, a few men, 
however, were retained at Agana for shore duty, I 
being one of them. The natives of Guam are called 
Chamorros and they are a very kind and docile race. 
They speak a dialect of their own and have many 
quaint customs and ideas, one of which I will mention. 

Great ceremonies are performed in advance of the 
killing of a porker. The porker is first brought forth 
and sized up mentally or with a tape measure, and it is 
then figured how many singers he will rate, as there 
are a certain number of children invited to participate 
in the festivities. The children congregate and sing 
each evening for a period of about two weeks. 

Meanwhile, the porker is fastened to a post under 
the house with a thirteen-inch cord. When he is killed 
all hands who have participated in the ceremonies re- 
ceive a piece pro rata. Great care is exercised in the 
measuring, because if too many singers are invited 
there would not be enough pork to go around. 

Many Americans who have been on duty at Guam 
for a long period claim they can tell the tweight of the 
pig by listening to the chorus. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 229 

TELL IT TO A MARINE 

A marine is at the bottom of this story, therefore 
there is some reason to doubt it. I do not wish to in- 
sinuate anything against the marines, I simply state 
that the story is doubtful from the fact that one might 
say, "Aw, go tell it to a marine." 

The story in question made such a strong impression 
among the bluejackets of Admiral Evans's fleet that it 
may perhaps interest others. During the summer of 
1903, the Asiatic Fleet, with Admiral Evans in com- 
mand, made Chefoo its headquarters iwhile target prac- 
tice was being held. At the time, there were several 
Chinese cruisers lying at anchor in the harbor. 

On a certain ship a marine devised a great scheme 
which he carried out to perfection. The full dress 
uniform of a marine is a gorgeous affair as it consists 
of many bright trimmings. This marine smuggled his 
full dress uniform ashore, and later on, while on shore 
leave, he donned it, hired a respectable looking shore 
boat and paid a visit to one of the Chinese cruisers 
which lay at anchor some distance from the American 
fleet. 

Mr. Marine was received with full honors, as he 
presented himself as "Colonel Somebody, of the Uni- 
ted States Marine Corps." As it was only a friendly 
visit the "Colonel" was invited into the cabin where the 
corkscrews began to get busy. The "Colonel" not be- 



230 The American Battleship in Commission 






ing accustomed to such a high grade of goods, soon 
began to feel the effects, and ere long imagined he was 
a real colonel. The result was he soon showed the 
effects, and the officers of the Chinese cruiser, thinking 
him ill, ordered him to be taken back to the ship to 
which he had said he belonged. In returning aboard the 
"Colonel" did not rate any side boys. (When an offi- 
cer returns from an official visit, two or more side 
boys, members of the seaman branch, line up at the 
starboard gangway and salute as he steps aboard. This 
comes under the heading of Naval Honors.) 

A PERSONAL STORY 

This story is my pride and means more to me than 
this book though it were made of gold. Many will 
doubt or be skeptical regarding its truth, but I can only 
say it is quite true. I vehemently deny in advance any 
thought of mentioning it for sympathy. The story 
demonstrates happiness instead of sorrow. My mother 
has been so good to me, that in looking back to the 
days or her darkness, I take great pride in alloting her 
this small space. 

Many naval officers and enlisted men are married 
and when convenient their wives follow the ships from 
port to port. 

An enlisted man's folks take great pride in knowing 
that their boy is in the navy and his letters are always 
read with great interest. Of course, women are not as 



Man-o'-war Yarns 23 1 

much interested as men in the good points of a twelve- 
or thirteen-inch gun ; they are apt to say "war is aw- 
ful" and they do not stop to consider that by having 
both quality and quantity of twelve- or thirteen-inch 
guns the prospects of having war are like the North 
Pole, hard to find. 

Several years ago my mother went to a small coun- 
try party where the guests had to remain over night. 
A pillow which was on my mother's bed had been used 
by a child suffering from eye trouble, the result being 
that my mother contracted the disease which caused 
her to gradually loose her sight. 

Scores of remedies, operations and medicines were 
tried but they were of no avail. The lot of a blind 
person is a hard one, still my mother made the best 
of it and seemed to become reconciled. 

When I enlisted in 1898, I came home often before 
being sent to sea. The first day I came home in uni- 
form mother had to feel me all over to tell how I 
looked. Sewed on my sleeve was my rating badge, 
at the top of which is a white eagle made of raised 
work, with the wings spread out. She was able to 
tell that it was a bird by the sensitiveness of touch, for 
she exclaimed "Isn't that a pretty bird?" 

During my absence my mother's sight returned nat- 
urally, and when I returned home she could stand a few 
feet away and recognize me. Since that period her 
sight has steadily improved and the day is not far 



232 The American Battleship in Commission 

distant when she will be able to read this book. For 
this I can only say "Praise be to the One who can make 
the lame walk and the blind see." 

AN OLD SALT'S SALTY SALTINGS. 

When signin' quarterly accounts say nothin if yer 
got more money on the books than yer thought. If 
short er nickel or more sey er whole lot. 

If yer have dirty clothes wash 'em ter-day; ter- 
morrow may be cloudy. 

Never buy any terbacker, its too much trouble to 
carry it. Shipmate Bill spells his name E-A-Z-E-Y. 

Spare not ther elbow grease, Uncle Sam don't care 
for expenses. 

After yer hunger is satisfied then's yer time ter tell 
'bout ther fifteen dollars per week that yer made on 
ther outside. 

If yer could only sen' yer hammock ashore ter the 
wash yer wouldn't have to scrub it. 

Don't holler 'bout not re-enlisting, ther louder yer 
holler ther quicker yer come back. 

Don't tell ther fellers how yer did it, let others do 
it f er yer. 

Yer needn't get tattooed ter be a sailor, there's 
others who like salt horse. 

Write often ter yer mother, she don't f ergit yer even 
if yer are twenty-two. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 233 

Don't tell 'bout ther rich uncles yer got what's 
workin' on ther poor farm. 

Never be afraid of er big man, er turpeder boat kin 
outrun er battleship. 

When work's on han' cut out their eddicut, 'taint 
"Good mornin' Bill, have yer used Pear's soap?" Its 
"Hey there ! grab that scrubbin' brush." 

Er enlistment is like ther tide, it runs out. 

Taint alwus ther man behin' ther gun that does ther 
work, all guns has sights on their sides. 

Don't throw water on anyone ter make them think 
it's rainin.' 

When yer git home don't tell 'bout ther sea-sarpints 
yer saw. 

Alwus respect yer superior officer, yer may be one 
yerself some day. 

Many when breakin' their liberty say "Oh, I don't 
care," but after the'r punished they often look at ther 
bulletin board ter see when they kin go ashore again. 

Er man thet makes five shots an' five hits wid er 
twelve-inch, outranks er feller makin' eight shots an' 
four misses. 

Don't pour oil on troubled waters, it's bad fer ther 
eyes. 

Many wonder why er sailor likes ther sea, why does 
er duck swim? 

Put yer money in ther ship's bank if yer 'tends ter 
get married when yer gits home. 



234 The American Battleship in Commission 

Have ambishun, don't be a sea-ladder fer those what 
has it. 

An idear's like er dollar bill at er fair, it's easy 
changed. 

Uncle Sam ain't greedy, he often calls twice six er 
baker's dozen. 

Ther's many er slip 'tween cup an' lip, so steady 
comin' up ther port gangway. 

Some call er sailor er flatfoot, people in Oregon 
are called web footers. 

Money's made round ter go round, but we travel 
round fer ours. 

Uncle Sam's ther opposite from whale huntin', he 
don't pay jaw-bone. 

Don't tell how yer would do it, but do it. 

Never think ther ship can't git erlong widout yer, 
if yer does, don't think aloud. 

Mermaids are like sea-sarpints — doubtful. 

Don't say can't, 'taint regulation. 

Stocks are like er ship, they rise an' fall. 

When yer git promoted don't think yer a whole 
schoolhouse, ther's other pupils 'board ship. 

Don't judge people by ther gunboats on ther feet, 
they may hev corns. 

When yer unable to go ashore, work ther toothache 
racket. Call early at ther sick-bay an' hev' one 
ther main chewers out uv whack. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 23 5 

Ther day uf shiver yer timbers is past, we now got 
iron ships wid petrified wood trimmin's. 

Some people only drinks licker when in agony, lots 
has pains all ther time. 

'Taint all gold thet glitters, ther's nuff bright work 
'board ship ter start er brass foundry. 

GOOD MORNING. 

In Japan the word "ohio" (spelled ohayo) means 
good morning, so when the crew of a warship are 
ashore on liberty they are greeted with many polite 
bows and "ohios." 

On board the battleship Wisconsin were two chums 
who were born and raised in the State of Ohio, so 
when the ship entered the harbor of Yokohama both of 
the young men were anxious to go ashore and see the 
country of which they had heard so much. 

Shore leave was soon granted and the young men 
went ashore and wandered about the city and saw 
much of beautiful Japan. In the morning when they 
prepared to return to the ship they were greeted with 
many polite bows and "ohios." After hearing the 
word "ohio" for about the thousandth time, Bill in- 
quired of Jim, "I wonder how they knew we are from 
Ohio?" 

presto! change! 

One morning while drinking my coffee aboard the 



236 The American Battleship in Commission 

Oregon I sat near a chest on which Bill and Jack were 
seated. Bill jumped up, went to his mess locker and 
returned with a tin of condensed milk; he dipped out a 
spoonful, put it into his coffee, and as he started to 
return the milk, Jack inquired "How's chances ?" Bill 
replied "It ain't mine." In the meantime, while Bill is 
returning the tin of milk, Jack calmly took the spoon 
out of Bill's cup and scraped off the condensed milk 
into his own and then returned the spoon. When Bill 
returned he stirred his coffee without any results and 
finally concluded that the milk was of a poor quality; 
Jack agreed with him. 

WASH DAY. 

When the Yosemite was first stationed at Guam the 
food question was a difficult one to solve because Guam 
is located in such an isolated place. The transports 
were few and far between. There is now a cold stor- 
age plant at Guam and vessels call there more regu- 
larly. 

The principal item on the bill-of-fare at that time 
was the old stand-by, beans. There was one lot of 
beans that had no doubt made several voyages around 
the Horn before we got them, for it required three 
days of steady cooking to make them eatable. 

There are large coppers in the galley where beans 
are cooked by steam. Whenever a batch of beans was 
put into the coppers, which was often, a persuader in 



Man-o'-war Yarns 237 

the form of soda was also added. The supply of soda 
became exhausted and as we were unable to replenish 
our supply for some time salt-water soap was used in- 
stead. There is but little difference between the two 
for the soap is quite strong. 

I was somewhat skeptical when the cook mentioned 
that he used soap to soften the beans. One day I 
happened to pass by the gallery and the cook called me 
in and lifted up the lid of the copper and said "See 
those beans in there?" He took a bar of "paymas- 
ter's boquet" (nickname for this kind of soap) and 
calmly shaved it into the copper. He then stirred the 
beans with a large paddle, causing a heavy seafoam to 
gather. When the soap had become dissolved he in- 
formed me that the beans would be ready for breakfast 
next morning. 

two "old timers" growling. 

Time: Summer, 1908. 

Place : On board the U. S. S. Oregon at anchor off 
Chefoo, China. 

Characters: William Brown, alias Stormy, on ac- 
count of being quite windy. James Murphy, alias 
Spud. There are many spuds, but this is the original 
one. 

Enlistment Record: James Murphy, boatswain's 
mate first-class, age, forty-five ; standard height ; voca- 
tion previous to joining navy, policeman; full-rigged 



238 The American Battleship in Commission 

ship tattooed on breast; deep voice; was born in 
Shamrockville ; has served twenty years honorably; 
disposition cheerful; a competent man; well liked by 
officers and crew. Spud is the boatswain's mate of 
the first division of the Oregon and has lately re-en- 
listed. 

William Brown, chief gunner's mate; age, thirty- 
five; vocation previous to joining navy, gasman; seven- 
teen years honorable service; height, six feet; large 
displacement ; also large beam ; born in Missouri ; dis- 
position cheerful. Stormy has been a shipmate with 
Spud on three previous occasions. 

Stormy has just arrived aboard the Oregon and is 
ignorant of the fact that Spud is also aboard. After 
stowing away his luggage he strolls about the ship 
meeting old shipmates. As he steps out on the fore- 
castle he meets Spud, who is sitting on a chest filling 
his woodstock pipe with navy plug: 

Stormy : "Hello Spud old boy ! (they shake hands) 
I thought you said you wasn't going to ship over 
again. I knew the meal pennant would fetch you 
back, and you done right as there is hard times ashore." 

Spud: "Well I'll be torpedoed! Where did you 
come from? I did intend to remain ashore as I 
bought a chicken farm and kept it in commission for 
threee months. The chickens wouldn't lay so I sold 
the whole outfit and shipped over. No more farming 
for me, Stormy. I thought it would take an Act of 




Naval Y. M. C. A. Building, Brooklyn, N. Y. This building is for the exclusive 
use of the enlisted men when ashore. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 23 9 

Congress to take the political job away from you that 
you had on the Philadelphia." 

Stormy : "Haw! haw! haw! You old fogie! You 
must have looked pretty piping the chickens to muster. 
I lost my job when the Philadelphia was put out of 
commission so they sent me out here on the Solace and 
I caught the Oregon. You remember the Jimmy Legs 
that used to be with us on the Philadelphia at Panama? 
Well, he deserted and they caught him in Frisco and 
gave him six months/' 

Spud: "I heard about Jimmy, but I thought he 
only got busted. Say Stormy, the ship's a regular 
home and we live like a king as the commissary stew- 
ard is a peach. Who do you think is our executive 
officer? It's Mr. Carrol who used to be with us on the 
old Mohican in eighty-nine." 

Stormy : "I met Mr. Carrol at the gangway as I 
came aboard and shook hands with him. They are 
going to make another dozen warrant gunners and Fm 
going up for it, do you think I'll make it. Spud?" 

Spud: "Sure, Mike, you'll make it if you'll learn 
about spontaneous combustion and all that rigamarole 
stuff, you got a great head on you and had a good 
learning and I hope you'll make it. I'm going out 
with a pay day this time; I'm stowing it away on 
edges in the ship's bank as I intend to get "hitched up" 
when I get back for I've got a dandy girl." 

Stormy : "Hee kw ! Hee haw ! Is the gal's name 



240 The American Battleship in Commission 

Maud? You certainly would look sea-going coming 
down the street with Missus Spud on your port beam. 
Come out of it man ! As soon as she got your pay day 
she would leave you and you would have to re-enlist. 
Better look out, you may fail as you did with the 
chicken farm." 

Spud : "There ain't no use in guying me, Stormy, 
I haven't forgot the time you got tangled up with that 
mermaid in Oakland. She got your whole pay day 
and you didn't see the inside of a church either, so you 
had better keep quiet." 

A VALUABLE CURIO. 

While stationed at Guam, the Yosemite made peri- 
odical trips to Japan. On one of these trips many of 
the crew purchased tea sets to take home to the dear 
ones. You have to be quite smart to get the best of a 
Japanese in buying a tea set. They say it is number- 
one kind and praise its merits in various other ways, 
incidentally asking a price much higher than it is really 
iworth. 

The Yosemite had a donkey boiler which has been 
used to supply steam for the auxiliary machinery 
while lying in port. This boiler was located on the 
upper gratings directly over the main boilers and was 
not in use at the time the tea sets were purchased, so 
they were stored in and around it. Of course, while 
lying at Yokohama only one of the main boilers was 



Man-o'-war Yarns 241 

fired so that everything around the donkey boiler was 
quite cool. When the main boilers were fired and the 
ship put to sea the heat about the donkey boiler was 
terrific, particularly when we neared Guam and 
struck the tropical climate. Many of the men on 
watch in the fire room were wondering ,where those 
little pieces of dough were coming from which were 
dropping regularly through the gratings. One of the 
men picked up a piece and found it was decorated in 
bright colors and at once concluded that the tea sets 
were being melted by the intense heat. Several of 
them went to the donkey boiler to look after their tea 
sets — it was laughable to see — where there once had 
been beautiful, dainty, sixty-two piece tea sets there 
now existed a trust, conglomerated and consolidated. 
Since the tea sets were worth only about seventy-five 
cents each, the individual losses were not great. 

FULL RATIONS. 

Two bluejackets were arguing one day over the 
wages paid for help in a certain State. As the argu- 
ment became quite bitter they decided to allow a third 
person settle it. Upon being asked for his opinion the 
referee expressed himself as follows: "When we lay 
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on the old Lancaster, a 
draft of recruits came aboard and among them were 

two brothers who came from the State of . 

Later, I became well acquainted with one of them who 



242 The American Battleship in Commission 

told me why they had enlisted. He said that he and 
his brother had worked five years for a farmer in the 

State of and they had never received a cent, 

so one Fourth of July they asked for two dollars in 
order to go to town and see the circus. They were 
refused the money so they left him and joined the 
navy." 

A FEW SALTY RIDDLES. 

In Manila Bay, May, '98. What was the ques- 
tion not a question ? 

Do we did it? 

What parts of a ship are farmlike ? 

Jackasses, hawsers and crow's nest. 

Why are there no labor strikes or walking delegates 
in the navy? 

All have to belong to the same Union before Uncle 
Sam will enlist them. 

Why do battleships make better watch dogs than 
cruisers ? 

They bark louder and their skin is thicker. 

Why are women folks so anxious to get a sailor cap 
ribbon ? 

Because a ship is called "she." 

What part of Jack's uniform reminds you of an ad- 
miral ? 

His blue collar, it has two stars thereon. 

What well known nation has no navy? 

Why, Carrie. 



Man-o'-war Yarns 243 

Where is the dryest place aboard ship? 

The brig ; there are bars all around but not a drinJE. 

What would make the best wife for an old salt? 

A mermaid, she couldn't kick. 

Who could outsleep Rip Van Winkle if only given 
the opportunity? 

A marine. 

Why did the Oregon make that famous trip in '98? 

To get to the other side. 

When does a bluejacket think number thirteen un- 
lucky ? 

When there are thirteen men at his table and only 
twelve pieces of pie. 

Why is a submarine boat like a salted mine? 

It takes water to float them both. 

What parts of a battleship are like the army ? 

Her masts, they are both military. 

What is the difference between a greyhound (ocean 
steamer) and a bulldog (the Oregon) ? 

The greyhound knows how to run; the bulldog 
knows how to fight. 

Why is the sword mightier than the pen in the 
navy? 

Officers draw more salary than yeomen. 

When does an old salt get salted? 

When he gets married. 

Why is a man-o'-war like a placer mine? 

She gets cleaned up often. 



244 The American Battleship in Commission 

When a ship is at sea what does her rudder remind 
you of? 

A poor man; it is always working. 

Where are Uncle Sam's initials the most conspicu- 
ous? 

On the sailor's caps. 

What is the difference between an admiral and a 
policeman ? 

The policeman carries his one star while the admiral 
has a big ship to carry his two. 

Why are ships, clergymen, sailors and lovers in the 
same boat? 

They all make knots. 

What parts of the machinery remind a married man 
of his mother-in-law? 

Crank, cross-head and jacking-over engine. 

What is like a ship without a rudder ? 

A saloon without a side door. 

A BEAR STORY 

Among the many illustrations in this book is one of 
a bluejacket and a big bear sleeping peacefully to- 
gether. This bear is known as Brunski and was 
brought aboard ship when a cub. 

The pets aboard ship (known as mascots) become 
greatly attached to the crew and much amusement is 
derived from them. The naval photographer (En- 
rique Muller) who took this picture was not on good 



Man-o'-war Yarns 245 

terms with Brunski owing to the fact that the bear ob- 
jected quite seriously to having his picture taken. 

When Mr. Muller went aboard the cruiser Chicago 
to take some pictures, he thought it would be interest- 
ing to take Brunski's also. The bear happened to be 
sitting on the railing when the photographer came 
aboard so the camera was set up and preparations 
made. 

Brunski was taking great interest in the proceed- 
ings. When the photographer placed the cloth over 
his head to get a focus on the bear Brunski decided to 
take a hand. He jumped down from the railing and 
made a rush for the camera. The photographer saw 
him coming and being quite frightened he made for 
the gangway and ran ashore (the ship was tied up to 
the dock.) 

One of the crew took the bear away from the cam- 
era and the photographer returned aboard, packed up 
his camera and went home. A few days later the 
photographer's son had some pictures to take aboard 
the Chicago so his dad told him to take a picture of the 
bear also. 

The son being unaware of the trouble his father 
had with the bear, went aboard and found Brunski in 
a good position for taking a picture. The camera was 
soon set up and when the cloth was placed over the 
photographer's head, Brunski became angry and made 
a rush for the camera. The son saw the bear coming 
toward him and got out of the way in time. Brunski 



246 The American Battleship in Commission 



struck the camera a blow with his paw and demolished 
it. 

When the bear was led away, the son returned 
aboard, cleared up the wreckage and going home, told 
his father of the trouble, which caused him to smile. 

One day the photographer caught Brunski and a 
bluejacket sleeping soundly together so he decided to 
take another chance. The results were quite satis- 
factory as the illustration reproduced in this book 
shows. 



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